Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is set to go to court for his attempted murder trial on September 9 in Santa Clara County, California, after allegedly firing at a car containing a man accused of sexually abusing his son.
Cain Velasquez, the ex-UFC heavyweight champ, is headed to court. His attempted murder trial is slated for Sept. 9, in Santa Clara County, California.
The trial date was confirmed on Wednesday. Judge Elizabeth Peterson made the call, with Velasquez and his lawyer, Renee Hessling, present in court.
The latest hearing saw Hessling ask for another continuance. Prosecutor Aaron French, representing the District Attorney’s office, wasn’t having it. He argued against another delay, grumbling about the trial setting being pushed back multiple times already.
Back in February, a continuance was granted. Why? Subpoena requests. The defense was still waiting to receive records from the UFC, among other things.
Hessling, on Wednesday, claimed the subpoena evidence was still incomplete. She needed more time before a trial date could be set.
But Peterson sided with the prosecution. September it is. Velasquez is facing a slew of charges related to his March 2022 arrest.
Velasquez, now 41, was arrested after a high-speed chase. He was allegedly pursuing a car containing Harry Goularte, accused of sexually abusing his son at a daycare owned by Goularte’s mother. Velasquez reportedly fired several rounds from a handgun into the vehicle. Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, was hit but sustained non-life threatening injuries.
Goularte, released on bail against the prosecution’s recommendation before the alleged car chase, is facing separate charges. These include one count of lewd acts with a child. His own trial date? Still up in the air.
The next big date for Velasquez? June 26. That’s the trial readiness hearing. Motions need to be filed by Aug. 12 and completed by Aug. 26. Witness lists for both sides must be filed no later than Sept. 4. The trial is set to kick off on Sept. 9.
During the previous hearing in February, French stated his objection to further delays. Talks were ongoing between the prosecution and the defense over a potential resolution. A plea deal was on the table. But no deal was reached, and now a trial date has been set for September.
Velasquez is looking at a multitude of charges. The big one? Attempted murder. If convicted, he could face a minimum 20-year sentence or even life in prison.
Velasquez’s response to all charges? Not guilty.