Cain Velasquez Granted Bail In Attempted Murder Trial, Smiles As He Leaves Jail
Velasquez has been denied bail three times.
Cain Velasquez is no longer in custody.
The former UFC heavyweight champion has been denied bail three times and was also denied a writ petition that was submitted to a California appellate court. But he got one win on Tuesday after Judge Arthur Bocanegra approved him to be released on a $1 million bond and compliance with an extended set of circumstances.
Velasquez has spent 253 days in jail on a charge of attempted murder – among other counts – for allegedly targeting to shoot Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s four-year-old son, but it instead struck Goularte’s stepfather in the arm.
“As I mentioned, although the charges and allegations are extremely serious and dangerous, there is also a viable heat of passion defense,” Bonanegra said in the ruling during the pre-trial hearing that lasted nearly 13 hours over two days.
“Mr. Velasquez has an enormous amount of support from members of the community as reflected by the many letters written by people on his behalf. The court does not find that Mr. Velasquez is a flight risk.
“Mr. Velasquez, I would not release you if I was not convinced that upon a release at this time, eight months later, that you would be a danger to Harry Goularte primarily, Patricia Goularte or Paul Bender.
“If you are as devoted a husband and father, I’m confident and have to believe you will not jeopardize anything that would take you away from your son, your daughter, your family. I hope you don’t prove me wrong.”
And the MMA community rejoiced.
LFG!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/yADuqIuHWa
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 8, 2022
About time. Congrats to all his family. https://t.co/2fQ3Yhddrm
— michael (@bisping) November 8, 2022
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God is good! 🙏🏾🙌🏾 https://t.co/yggLXClOjn
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 9, 2022
Velasquez left Santa Clara County Main Jail North in San Jose, California early Wednesday morning. He has been in custody ever since the alleged incident took place in February.
While bail was posted, Velasquez has to comply with GPS monitoring, CTE/TBI therapy and has area restrictions.
Still, the former fighter was feeling positive.
“I’m doing great,” Velasquez told a news outlet, posted to the Bay Area’s KRON-4.
“I appreciate it, man. I just feel blessed, you know? I’m ready to go home, be with the loved ones, family, friends, and make something positive of this whole situation.
“… Thank you to everybody who (supported me). I love all of you. (I want to) just always continue to be better as a person, always do good things – just make something positive of this terrible situation. My family and I are going to do that.”