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Fighter War Machine to Face Trial on 34 Felonies

A mixed martial arts fighter who changed his name to War Machine was ordered Friday to stand trial in Nevada state court on 34 felony charges.
Image: Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver
Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver, also known as War Machine, appears in court for a preliminary hearing on Friday in Las Vegas.John Locher / AP

LAS VEGAS - A mixed martial arts fighter who changed his name to War Machine was ordered Friday to stand trial in Nevada state court on 34 felony charges including attempted murder, sexual assault and kidnapping that could get him life in prison for allegedly attacking his porn star ex-girlfriend and her friend. Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver's leg shackles rattled softly as he sat while his ex-girlfriend, Christy Mack, testified she feared he was fetching a knife to kill her when she ran bruised, bleeding and naked from her house and knocked on neighbors' doors for help early Aug. 8.

Mack testified she remembered tasting blood when she regained consciousness on the floor of the running shower, and a kick in the abdomen sending her back to the bathroom floor when she tried to get to her feet. "I couldn't breathe," she said. "I don't remember getting out of the shower. I just remember being on the floor. Naked on the floor. Cold." The judge added two felony charges to 32 previously lodged against Koppenhaver and bound him over for trial on charges also including coercion, burglary, attempted sexual assault, preventing or dissuading a witness or victim from reporting a crime and strangulation. Koppenhaver didn't testify Friday. Defense attorney Brandon Sua said he'll plead not guilty at his arraignment Thursday in Clark County District Court.

Image: Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver
Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver, also known as War Machine, appears in court for a preliminary hearing on Friday in Las Vegas.John Locher / AP

IN-DEPTH

— The Associated Press