Cain Velasquez denied bail a third time, remains behind bars
Former UFC heavyweight champion and WWE wrestler Cain Velasquez remains in jail after a third attempt to get bail by lead defense attorney Mark Geragos was denied.
Judge Shelyna Brown denied a motion for bail once again according to a report by Nolan King of MMA Junkie who was able to obtain court documents filed after Velasquez appeared in the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, California on Monday.
Earlier this year, Velasquez was arrested and charged with attempted murder (one count), shooting at a motor vehicle or aircraft (one count), assault with a firearm (three counts), assault with a deadly weapon (three counts), willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle (one count), and carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (one count).
Velasquez, 39, followed the parents of Harry Goularte, 43, from their home as they were picking up their son, who last week was arrested and charged with molesting a close underage relative of Velasquez, but was out on bail. After the parents picked him up, Velasquez continued following them and shot into the vehicle.
Goularte’s father was hit in the arm by a bullet from a .40 caliber pistol and his injuries are considering non-life threatening.
According to the report from MMA Junkie, “In order to challenge the court’s ruling to potentially overturn the previous bail denials, the defense needed to provide Judge Brown with a change of circumstance. Geragos argued that intent by Harry Goularte, Patricia Goularte and Paul Bender to not testify in a civil lawsuit should be seen as a change of circumstance in the criminal case against Velasquez, who is facing a 20 years-to-life sentence in prison for attempted murder.”
The report goes on to say, “Geragos added that Velasquez, who’s been in custody since Feb. 28, was willing to post a $1 million bond and accept all requirements of the court in order to be back with his family.
“Aaron French of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office argued no decision on testimony status had been made for the Goulartes or Bender.
“Ultimately, Judge Brown ruled not to disturb her previous rulings. Brown said testimony status is irrelevant to the risk factor she thinks Velasquez poses.”
If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison.
