Cain Velasquez denied bail in attempted murder case
At the order of Judge Shelyna Brown, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will remain in jail, without bail on attempted murder charges.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been denied bail. Judge Shelyna Brown says “the risk is too great” after reviewing Velasquez’s “reckless” alleged actions. He will be due back in court April 12.
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“It is clear to this court that there is clear and convincing evidence that there is a substantial likelihood that release would result in great bodily injury, not just to the named complaining witnesses in this case but to Santa Clara residents at large,” Judge Brown said. “This case involves allegations of extreme recklessness to human life.
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).
If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison.
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.
Velasquez’s attorney Mark Geragos as well as deputy district attorney Aaron French both presented their arguments before the judge handed down her ruling on Monday.
“Ramming a vehicle in the middle of the day where are citizens are out driving, going about their business and shooting out of a car at other individuals, which is reckless by any standard,” the Judge continued. “Anyone could have been injured. Anyone could have been killed and when this court looks at article 1, section 12, it is this level of risk that the court must take into consideration. With that said, this court is making the ruling that the risk is too great and that there will be no bail set at this time.”
Velasquez is scheduled to be back in court on April 12.
