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After being released on parole ahead of his trial on several charges, including intentional attempted murder, Cain Velasquez will return home for the first time in eight months.
The former UFC heavyweight champion has spent the last two days in a courtroom in Santa Clara County, California, for a pre-trial hearing. During this hearing, witnesses were called, and Mark Geragos, the defendant's attorney, and Aaron French, the prosecution, exchanged blows. Additionally, two other motions were heard by the presiding judge, Arthur Bocanegra.
After engaging in a high-speed chase pursuit on February 28 and firing several rounds from a.40-caliber handgun at a car that included Harry Goularte, who is suspected of allegedly physically molesting Velasquez's son at a daycare run by his mother Patricia Goularte. Bocanegra insisted that Velasquez should still be charged with purposefully attempted murder. The confrontation resulted in Goularte's stepfather Paul Bender being shot, however, he only sustained non-life critical wounds.
In spite of this, Bocanegra granted Geragos' second request for Velasquez to be given bail before his trial; the next court date is November 21 at 9 a.m. PT.
“Mr. Velasquez, I would not release you if I was not convinced that finally a release at this time, eight months later, that you would be a danger to Harry Goularte, primarily, Patricia Goularte or Paul Bender or the public,” Judge Bocanegra said
“But if you are as devoted as a husband and father, I have to believe and I’m confident he will not jeopardize anything that would take away from your son, your daughter, or your family. I hope you don’t prove me wrong.
For the first time during the two-day pre-trial, Velasquez spoke:
“I won’t, your honor.”
Velasquez will be required to post a $1 million cash bond as well as submit to house confinement with GPS tracking, which prevents him from leaving his primary residence unless the court grants him permission to do so.
Velasquez will also require therapy for the parents of children who have experienced sexual assault, as well as outpatient treatment for traumatic brain injury and CTE at Windmills Wellness Ranch. He won't be allowed to keep any weapons in his home, and a search and seizure will be conducted there. A protective order requiring him to keep at least 300 yards away from Goularte, his mother Patricia, and his stepfather Paul Bender must also be followed.