jkdberlin
25-12-2007, 09:33
4:21 p.m. December 13, 2007
SAN DIEGO - Jon Koppenhaver, known as "War Machine" from Spike TV's
reality series "The Ultimate Fighter," pleaded guilty Thursday in
Superior Court to a felony assault charge.
The professional cage-fighter choked a Las Vegas man unconscious and
hit him in the face outside San Diego's Undisputed fitness and
training center early Sept. 2.
Koppenhaver also faced a battery charge, but that was dismissed as
part of a plea agreement reached during the preliminary hearing
Thursday afternoon.
The victim, Darren Zatkow, testified during the hearing that he was
visiting San Diego with his then-girlfriend when he was assaulted
outside the fitness club after a night of drinks on the town.
Zatkow said he made a joke as he walked out with friends, calling a
group of men standing outside the club without shirts "tough guys"
while holding his hands up to his shoulders with palms open before he
was surrounded by the men. "I cracked a joke and I got hit for it,"
Zatkow said.
Zatkow said he was grabbed from behind in a carotid choke and dragged
a few feet by one of the men. Zatkow said he did not see who grabbed
him.
Zatkow, who practices martial arts but has never competed in
tournaments, said he became unconscious 10 seconds after he was choked
and came to moments later. Friends of Zatkow's who testified said he
was punched in the face while he lay unconscious on the ground.
San Diego Police Detective Fernando Ramirez said a Las Vegas doctor
who saw Zatkow days after the assault determined that the facial blow
caused four fractures to his left eye socket. The injuries could cause
temporary or permanent nerve damage, Ramirez said. The extent of the
injury is not yet known because Zatkow is still recovering, he said.
Koppenhaver, 26, of Simi Valley, is skilled in mixed martial arts,
according to his profile on the Ultimate Fighting Championship Web
site, and also is a resident trainer for San Diego's Undisputed club.
Last week, he won with a technical knockout against Jared Rollins in
the third round of Spike TV's Ultimate Fighter Finale held in Nevada.
Judge Frank Brown said the change in plea could result in a
misdemeanor punishment. Zatkow told the court he thought a reduced
punishment was OK because he believed a felony conviction would
destroy Koppenhaver's career.
"I'm not interested in destroying somebody's life," Zatkow said,
noting that fighting should stay in the ring. "
Quelle: Angelica Martinez UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM
SignOnSanDiego.com | The San Diego Union-Tribune | San Diego news, California and national news (http://www.signonsandiego.com)
SAN DIEGO - Jon Koppenhaver, known as "War Machine" from Spike TV's
reality series "The Ultimate Fighter," pleaded guilty Thursday in
Superior Court to a felony assault charge.
The professional cage-fighter choked a Las Vegas man unconscious and
hit him in the face outside San Diego's Undisputed fitness and
training center early Sept. 2.
Koppenhaver also faced a battery charge, but that was dismissed as
part of a plea agreement reached during the preliminary hearing
Thursday afternoon.
The victim, Darren Zatkow, testified during the hearing that he was
visiting San Diego with his then-girlfriend when he was assaulted
outside the fitness club after a night of drinks on the town.
Zatkow said he made a joke as he walked out with friends, calling a
group of men standing outside the club without shirts "tough guys"
while holding his hands up to his shoulders with palms open before he
was surrounded by the men. "I cracked a joke and I got hit for it,"
Zatkow said.
Zatkow said he was grabbed from behind in a carotid choke and dragged
a few feet by one of the men. Zatkow said he did not see who grabbed
him.
Zatkow, who practices martial arts but has never competed in
tournaments, said he became unconscious 10 seconds after he was choked
and came to moments later. Friends of Zatkow's who testified said he
was punched in the face while he lay unconscious on the ground.
San Diego Police Detective Fernando Ramirez said a Las Vegas doctor
who saw Zatkow days after the assault determined that the facial blow
caused four fractures to his left eye socket. The injuries could cause
temporary or permanent nerve damage, Ramirez said. The extent of the
injury is not yet known because Zatkow is still recovering, he said.
Koppenhaver, 26, of Simi Valley, is skilled in mixed martial arts,
according to his profile on the Ultimate Fighting Championship Web
site, and also is a resident trainer for San Diego's Undisputed club.
Last week, he won with a technical knockout against Jared Rollins in
the third round of Spike TV's Ultimate Fighter Finale held in Nevada.
Judge Frank Brown said the change in plea could result in a
misdemeanor punishment. Zatkow told the court he thought a reduced
punishment was OK because he believed a felony conviction would
destroy Koppenhaver's career.
"I'm not interested in destroying somebody's life," Zatkow said,
noting that fighting should stay in the ring. "
Quelle: Angelica Martinez UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM
SignOnSanDiego.com | The San Diego Union-Tribune | San Diego news, California and national news (http://www.signonsandiego.com)