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Former UFC Champion and WWE performer Cain Velasquez was again denied bail in a court hearing today and will remain incarcerated in California.
Velasquez has been charged first degree attempted murder, multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and shooting an occupied motor vehicle, among other charges. He faces up to 70 years in prison.
Velasquez was arrested after opening fire at a car carrying 43-year old Harry Eugene Goularte, driven by his stepfather, Paul Bender with Bender being struck by a bullet and hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries. Goularte had been charged with molesting an underage relative of Velasquez at a home daycare center run by his mother in San Martin, California. Goularte, who lives at the home, had been given a supervised release last week after being arraigned on one felony count of a lewd and lascivious act with a child under the age of 14.
San Jose authorities state that Velasquez followed Goularte in his own Ford F-250. He allegedly began shooting into the Chevy Silverado driven by Bender, who was shot. Cain also allegedly rammed into the car with his own truck and continued firing. Velasquez left the scene of the incident but was taken into custody up the road without further incident. Police found a 40-caliber semi-automatic handgun in Cain's truck. They also noted they found two 10-bullet magazines in the vehicle, noting that 8 total bullets were missing from the mags.
During today's hearing, it was noted that Velasquez's attorney argued that he may be suffering from "traumatic brain injuries" as well potentially CTE and argued that the former WWE and MMA star would be willing to pay $1 million in bail, undergo house arrest to remain in his home at all times, wear an electronic bracelet and even allow someone to supervise his behavior if he was given bond. Judge Shelya Brown turned that down, citing that his potential medical issues could be raised in Velasquez's defense during trial but would have no bearing on his potential release on bond.
During today's hearing, the Prosecution argued that should Velasquez be released, his victims and their neighborhood could still be at risk. Paul Bender, who was shot by Velasquez, testified that he has lost the use of several fingers in hand and has not been able to work due to the injury. He also stated that he brachial artery, which supplies blood to your upper arm and elbow, was severed when he was shot.
Judge Brown stated that Velasquez's actions were "a reckless disregard for himan life" not just for Goularte and his family "but every single citizen who was in danger of being shot of rammed with the vehicle at the time of his seven mile chase."
Velasquez, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, retired from Mixed Martial Arts in 2019 and transitioned into professional wrestling. After working a few Lucha Libre AAA shows, he signed with WWE in 2019 and worked one match against Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel 2019, where he lost. After being released from WWE in 2020, Velasquez returned to pro wrestling in 2021, working a match at Lucha Libre AAA’s Triplemania Regia event this past December.
Velasquez's next hearing will be 6/10, where he will formally plead guilty or not guilty.
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