Picture Credit: Twitter
Former UFC Heavyweight Cain Velasquez was arrested in a public shooting that left one person injured earlier this month. He was charged with attempted murder and many other firearms assault counts as he chased down Harry Goularte, who apparently molested Velasquez’s family member.
But Cain Velasquez was denied bail after being deemed as a ‘risk’ and ‘Reckless’ by presiding judge Shelyna Brown.
“I’m going to apply the law to the facts as I understand them to be. I believe that the court has to review Article 1, Section 12 of the California prosecution, which talks about acts involving violence upon another person. The facts are clear here that this was an alleged act of violence, according to laws – following an individual, chasing an individual for some miles, ramming individuals with his vehicle, and shooting at the individuals at point-blank range. The court, reviewing those facts, understands the surrounding circumstances.
It is clear to this court that there is clear and convincing evidence that there is a substantial likelihood that would result in great bodily injury, not just to the named complaint witnesses in this case, but to Santa Clara residents at large.
“This case involves allegations of extreme recklessness to human life, ramming a vehicle in the middle of the day where our citizens are out driving, going about their business, and shooting out of a car at other individuals, which is reckless by any standard. Anyone could’ve been injured. Anyone could’ve been killed. 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 a ruling that the risk is too great. There will be no bail set at this time.”
Judge Brown wrote in a statement.
Later on 8 March, Velasquez’s longtime friend and former wrestling teammate, Ryan Bader, revealed the identity of Velasquez’s family member in a post on social media saying:
“Many of you know Cain is currently in jail and was denied bail. Cliff notes is he went after the man who was molesting his 4 yr old son. The 43 yr old man was released immediately with no bond and was able to go back home. Cain took justice into his own hands, and although not the smartest decision, any father would have felt the same way.”
“I’m not surprised at all,” retired sheriff’s lieutenant Mark Garcia said. “You look at each and every case and you also do a threat assessment. And you come up with an idea and the tools necessary to provide them safety.”
Mark Geragos, Velasquez’s attorney has responded to Cain being held without bail while an accused child molester was released according to NBC Bay Area. He said, “Forty years of doing this, I can’t believe the criminal justice system thinks this is the right outcome.” Geragos has been a high profile defence attorney who has represented well-known clients such as O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson, Winona Ryder and Chris Brown, just to name a few.
