Calum von Moger, a Mr. Universe winner, is providing his reason for a bizarre road rage attack stemming from January. Von Moger was seen in the Melbourne Magistrate Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to intentionally damaging property, carrying a prohibited weapon, and carelessly driving a motor vehicle.
“He was the victim of a number of car jackings that left him scarred and traumatised and triggered a reaction that people here wouldn’t have,” Mr. Campigli (Calum von Moger’s lawyer) told the court.
The 32-year-old once again made headlines after being involved in a strange traffic incident with another car on January 26. As a result of a verbal altercation with the other driver, Calum von Moger entered the passenger’s side of the victim’s car. Then, eventually stabbed the victim’s tire.
When police arrived at the scene, von Moger was subsequently arrested, and his car was searched. The contents within his vehicle left law enforcement surprised after they found a stash of weapons in his trunk, which included black brass knuckles, a tomahawk, and a hunting knife. In addition, police reported finding a Victorian license plate covered in blood. Following the incident, von Moger was transported to the police station and was later released on bail.
Things only escalated for von Moger from there. He allegedly jumped out of a two-story window and seriously injured himself in May. It’s uncertain if he was attempting suicide, though many believe he is currently struggling with mental health. While he’s determined to get his life back in order, von Moger and his lawyer are now answering for his odd behavior back in January during the road rage incident.
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According to Von Moger’s lawyer, Bernard Campigli, his client’s dramatic reaction to the road rage situation was in part caused by his negative experiences while living in the United States.
Specifically, Von Moger and his lawyer claim he was the victim to a number of carjacking crimes in Los Angeles, California. He added that he overreacted when he stabbed the victim’s tires.
“That triggered a slightly excessive reaction, your honour.” Von Moger said.
“I accept that Mr Von Moger can’t go around stabbing tyres, essentially,” Campigli added.
His lawyer continued to express that Von Moger feared for his safety during the road rage incident.
“The (victim) quite rightly came out and confronted Mr von Moger. However, Mr von Moger was quite scared at the time,” Campigli said. “Mr von Moger was quite fearful of what the (victim) might do, so that’s why he stabbed the tyre and left the scene.’
Von Moger’s mother Ingrid was also in court to support her son, while his lawyer continued to express that he’s been struggling with a litany of issues including the death of his support dog. His lawyer also asked the courts not to charge Von Moger with assault charges, which were dropped. The session was adjourned until next month so that his victims can write out impact statements to eventually be heard in court.
This isn’t von Moger’s first run-in with the law. He was stopped by police in unregistered vehicle days following the road rage incident. After police noted something was off, backup was called. They later arrested von Moger at the scene when they found testosterone, needles, cannabis oil, white crystal powder, prescription drugs, and Viagra.
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The last time we heard from the Australian native, he was condemning “fake people” in his life who he believed talked trash behind his back. At the time of this publication, it’s unclear if Von Moger will ever return to a bodybuilding contest but he’s determined to get his life back on track.