Former porn actress testifies ex-MMA fighter took steroids
LAS VEGAS — The lawyer for a former mixed martial arts fighter accused of trying to kill his porn star ex-girlfriend provided a glimpse Thursday of a key element in his defence: steroid use made him prone to violent outbursts.
Under cross-examination by defence attorney Jay Leiderman, former adult actress Christy Mack testified in Las Vegas that she saw Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver inject steroids and take pills during their 15-month relationship.
She said Koppenhaver, who legally changed his name to War Machine during his 19-fight MMA career, had bouts of depression and irritability. Koppenhaver has used his birth name since his arrest in September 2014.
Some studies link high doses of anabolic steroids with increases in users’ irritability and aggression, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.