Cain Velasquez, the former UFC champion, made a significant legal move on Friday, entering a no contest plea in a case stemming from a dramatic 2022 car chase and shooting incident. This plea deal allows him to avoid a potential life sentence and a high-profile attempted murder trial.
Velasquez, 42, faced serious charges for a violent episode in which he fired multiple shots at a man accused of molesting his son. Unfortunately, instead of hitting his intended target, Velasquez wounded the man’s stepfather. This plea agreement was reached in a San Jose courtroom before Judge Arthur Bocanegra.
Originally, Velasquez was set to go to trial on September 9. If convicted of attempted murder and nine related gun assault charges, he faced the possibility of life in prison. However, the plea deal altered this outcome. Under the agreement, premeditation allegations were dropped, meaning Velasquez will not be subject to a mandatory life sentence. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 18, though the final sentencing might not happen until later in the year. Judge Bocanegra will have discretion over the sentence, ranging from probation to life in prison.
Following the court proceedings, Velasquez and his attorney, Renee Hessling, chose not to comment. Velasquez remains out of custody under bail and monitoring conditions.
Former UFC Champion Cain Velasquez Pleads No Contest in Shooting Case, Avoids Life Sentence
Paul Bender, the stepfather who was injured in the shooting, expressed his dissatisfaction with the legal process. He remarked, “In a case like today when he changes his plea to guilty to 10 violent felonies involving a gun, and our system allows him to go free? How is in God’s name is that possible? I’m looking for someone to explain that to me.”
District Attorney Jeff Rosen characterized the shooting as a “vigilante shooting,” criticizing Velasquez’s actions. “This defendant decided to become judge, jury, and executioner. His actions endangered innocent bystanders, including young children and their parents who could have been injured or killed as he shot at his intended victim,” Rosen said.
The case has been highly polarized, partly due to Velasquez’s fame as a UFC fighter and the sensitivity of the charges against him. Velasquez, known for his calm demeanor outside the octagon, had a reputation as a devoted family man and respected coach at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose.
However, the facts of the case have been clear. Velasquez’s previous attorney, Mark Geragos, tried to shift public focus to Velasquez’s emotional response to his son’s alleged abuse. Geragos argued that Velasquez’s actions were driven by rage and that his long career in mixed martial arts might have contributed to his impulse control issues. Velasquez retired from professional fighting in 2019.
Deputy District Attorney Aaron French, the lead prosecutor, argued that the attack was premeditated. The shooting happened three days after Harry Goularte Jr., the man accused of molesting Velasquez’s son, was granted monitored release.
The Incident
The incident occurred on February 28, 2022. Goularte was being driven by Bender and his mother, Patty Bender, from Morgan Hill to San Jose for an ankle monitor fitting. Authorities say Velasquez shot at Goularte, leading to an 11-mile high-speed chase that ended near Monterey Road and Bailey Avenue in San Jose. Velasquez is alleged to have rammed Bender’s truck with his own vehicle and fired several shots with a .40-caliber pistol, injuring Bender in the arm and torso before fleeing.
Velasquez later surrendered to police in Morgan Hill, admitting to having a handgun in his truck. Authorities believe he had been following the Benders from their home in San Martin, which houses the daycare where the alleged abuse occurred.
Patty Bender, who was present in court, expressed disappointment with the plea deal. “We were not happy there was a plea,” she said. “The dropping of the premeditation was disappointing. I was looking forward to trial.”
Harry Goularte Jr. is still facing a felony charge of lewd and lascivious acts with a child, with his case currently in pretrial proceedings.
Since being granted $1 million bail and monitored release in November 2022, Velasquez has remained out of jail. He has been allowed to attend wrestling and MMA events in California and Arizona, with travel permitted for work-related purposes.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
