Defense asks ex-porn star if alleged near-fatal attack was ‘worth’ social media fame

A former porn actress has broken down in court when asked whether the social media followers she gained after her ex-boyfriend, who was in a mixed martial arts relationship, allegedly raped and assaulted her were “worth it”.

Christine Mackinday of Las Vegas cried in court Thursday when asked how many new followers she had gained after sharing posts about the attack.

Mixed martial arts fighter and ultimate fighting champion Jonathan War Machine Koppenhaver is accused of brutally raping and beating the woman, also known as Christy Mack, in two separate incidents in May 2013 and August 2014.

He is accused of leaving the 25-year-old woman with a lacerated liver, 18 broken bones, a broken nose, missing teeth and a broken rib during the near-fatal attack.

Detective Daniel Tomaino told the jury he visited Ms Mackinday in hospital after the alleged incident in August 2014 to take a statement, but said the young woman was so badly injured she could not speak properly.

“I just couldn’t understand what she was saying, but it was because she had no teeth,” Mr Tomaino said.

She was allegedly attacked when her former MMA partner discovered her in bed with another man, Corey Thomas, whom Koppenhaver also allegedly brutally attacked.

Ms Mackinday fought back tears during cross-examination in Koppenhaver’s sexual assault and attempted murder trial, but burst into tears when asked about her social media followers, the New York Post reported.

The defense asked Mackinday if the social media followers she gained after the alleged attack were “worth it.”

She currently has 2.7 million followers on Instagram and her official Facebook page has more than 1.25 million likes.

“I wouldn’t want to almost die for a few followers,” Ms Mackinday told the court.

Koppenhaver, 35, whose name has officially been changed to War Machine, was charged with 34 counts, including attempted murder, kidnapping and sexual abuse.

Defense attorneys also questioned Ms. Mackinday, asking her about details of her sexual relationship and reading graphic text exchanges to the court, including plans to engage in sexual relations with a “sex slave.”

Defense attorney Jay Leiderman apologized to those in the courtroom who found the situation uncomfortable and said, “I’m sorry. I just can’t get away from it.”

Koppenhaver pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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