Cain Velasquez Plea Hearing Moved To May 6
The plea hearing for Cain Velasquez has been pushed back.
Velasquez’s lawyer Mark Geragos had requested that the plea hearing be postponed, and it was granted by Judge Jose S. Franco. Meanwhile, Harry Goularte, who is accused of molesting a relative of Velasquez who is a minor, is due in the same court Wednesday; he has been out on bail.
Velasquez remains in custody.
“As we indicated to the judge today, we’re going to file another motion asking that he be released,” Geragos said via MMA Junkie.
“We will do that between now and May 6.”
Velasquez’s appearance in the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice lasted for about three minutes while the hearing itself lasted about seven minutes on Tuesday. A shackled Velasquez waved and made a heart with his hands.
Velasquez is now scheduled for May 6 at 9 a.m. local time.
The only topic that was brought before the judge was the approval of a motion for medical records requested by Aaron French of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
Specific details were not discussed.
Among the dozens of family, friends and teammates who filled the room was former UFC champion Daniel Cormier, American Kickboxing head coach Javier Mendez and former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson, to name a few.
According to MMA Junkie, Velasquez, a former two-time UFC heavyweight champion, is facing charges of:
- 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)
- carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (one count)
If found guilty of attempted murder, the 39-year-old faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison. He would face additional time if found guilty of the other counts.
Velasquez issued his first statement hours before showing up in court.
“Your selfless gestures and kind words have given me strength in my darkest times,” Velasquez wrote.
— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) April 12, 2022