War Machine has pleaded not guilty to charges that he tried to kill ex-girlfriend Christy Mack, just days after the mixed martial arts fighter appeared to mock the adult film star in court.
Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver, who legally changed his name to War Machine, spoke briefly during his arraignment in a Nevada state court on Thursday. A judge asked War Machine if he understood the 34 felony charges against him, which include kidnapping, attempted murder, attempted sexual assault and strangulation, and War Machine said that he did. He also pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The defendant’s demeanor was much different Thursday than in his last appearance. Earlier this week, War Machine was reprimanded by the judge after he smirked during Mack’s testimony detailing her injuries from the incident.
The MMA fighter reportedly started laughing when the prosecutor asked Christy Mack if she faced sexual violence during the attack.
Christy Mack sobbed on the witness stand as she recounted the incident, testifying that War Machine beat and kicked her while groping her sexually. When the MMA fighter left to the kitchen — where Mack said she believes he was getting a knife to finish her off — she ran out of the house naked and to a neighbor’s house, where she asked for help.
Last month, War Machine reportedly attempted to take his life in jail and sent a letter to a friend that appeared to be a suicide note . In it, War Machine said he was ready for death.
“If you are reading this, then it must be a rap. I refuse to live a parasitic life, relying on taxes and the generosity of friends for food and shelter while never being able to give back. I always used to say, ‘You gotta know when the gig is up.’ I had a good run. I experienced more in my short life than 5 [average] men combined.”
Later in the note, War Machine said the allegations from Chrisy Mack were “b.s.” and claimed that she made it up for attention.