Tag: Cain Velasquez

Read Dana White’s full letter supporting Cain Velasquez in wake of attempted murder charge

Dana White went to bat for Cain Velasquez just a few days after the former UFC champ was arrested.

It took [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] just four days to throw his support behind [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] after the former UFC heavyweight champion was arrested and charged with attempted murder Feb. 28 in California.

In a letter dated March 4, the UFC president appealed to a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge asking that Velasquez’s character be considered – calling him “a model example of how a professional athlete should carry himself” – as the legal process plays out. White also pointed to the fact that Velasquez had no prior arrest record.

White’s letter was obtained by MMA Junkie as part of a 246-page document in which Velasquez’s attorney, Mark Geragos, filed a petition in the 6th District Court of Appeal requesting his client be released from jail. On three separate occasions, Judge Shelyna Brown has denied bail.

You can read White’s full letter here or below:

March 4, 2022

To the honorable judge of the Santa Clara Superior Court,

I write this reference in full knowledge of Cain Velasquez’s current charges of attempted murder and assault. I was stunned to learn of these charges against him, as they are completely out of character for the man I was proud to say was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion.

I have known Mr. Velasquez for more than 15 years, and during his time as an active athlete with UFC, he represented our company with dignity and always treated others with respect. He was a model example of how a professional athlete should carry himself, projecting a positive image to UFC’s fanbase. Mr. Velasquez was extremely professional and went above and beyond to make a connection with our fans and promote the sport of mixed martial arts—- not only as an entertainment product, but also as a character—building discipline.

As a Mexican American, Mr. Velasquez was proud of his heritage and never passed up an opportunity to visit Mexico on behalf of our company and demonstrate his gratitude
to the Mexican fans for their support.

People who know him best describe him as a humble, soft-spoken man who was very much dedicated t0 his family, including his wife and his two children.

If given the opportunity, I’m sure Mr. Velasquez would like nothing more than to return to his family and continue to make a positive impact on his community.

I sincerely ask that you take this into consideration as you adjudicate next steps in this process concerning Mr. Velasquez.

lf you wish for me to confirm any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Dana White
UFC President

In addition to White, other MMA luminaries wrote letters to the judge in March, according to ESPN, including Bellator president Scott Coker; current UFC champion Kamaru Usman, former UFC champions Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, Brandon Moreno, and Fabricio Werdum; Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader; and more.

On Feb. 28, Velasquez allegedly chased down a truck carrying Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son, his mother and his stepfather, and shot at it, striking Paul Bender in the arm.

Velasquez, 39, faces 20 years and up to life in prison if convicted of attempted murder. He faces additional time if convicted of other gun-related charges.

[vertical-gallery id=451521]

Cain Velasquez’s attorney files petition to California appellate court requesting release from jail

A 246-page document filed by Cain Velasquez’s attorney is challenging a judge’s denial for bail and makes mention of possible CTE.

[autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag]’s lead defense attorney, Mark Geragos, filed a 246-page petition Wednesday to the California Courts of Appeal asking for the release of the former UFC champion, who has been denied bail three times by the Santa Clara County Superior Court.

According to the document obtained by MMA Junkie, Geragos filed in the 6th District Court of Appeal in San Jose. The defense is asking for “immediate release on a reasonable bail or remand the matter to the superior court for an expedited hearing” and for the court to “grant such other appropriate relief.”

Velasquez, 40, has been held without bail since his Feb. 28 arrest on an attempt murder charge, among other gun-related counts, after he allegedly chased down a truck carrying Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son, his mother and his stepfather, and shot at it, striking Paul Bender in the arm.

Judge Shelyna Brown three times has heard Geragos’ arguments for Velasquez to be granted bail – and each time she has pointed to a high-risk analysis as the reason for denial. Geragos has offered numerous stipulations, including a $1 million bail amount, relocation out of state, 24/7 in-person supervision, electronic monitoring, and more – all stipulations he reiterated in his appellate court filing.

In the petition, Geragos points to three main arguments the decision for denying Velasquez bail should be overturned:

  • The Pretrial Detention Order Violates the Due Process Clauses of the California and U.S. Constitutions.
  • The Court Abused Its Discretion in Denying Bail.
  • Even if Mr. Velasquez’s Pretrial Detention Was Initially Valid, His Continued Pretrial Detention Constitutes Impermissible Punishment in Violation of the Due Process Clauses of the California and U.S. Constitutions

Throughout the petition, the defense reiterates how Velasquez has been cooperative throughout the legal process and has no prior criminal history.

Additionally, the defense shed light on the encounter with Goularte. According to the defense, an “altercation” occurred when Velasquez and his wife accidentally ran into Goularte when they thought he was still in jail on the lewd acts charge involving their son.

The defense furthers that EEG-proven traumatic brain and potential CTE caused Velasquez to act impulsively and that his impulsive decision-making can be worked on with medical professionals.

The defense’s claim of an accidental run-in differs from the police report, which stated that its “investigation showed that Velasquez followed Victim Patricia Goularte and Victim Bender from their residence in San Martin to Morgan Hill and then to San Jose where Velasquez began shooting at the Victim’s automobile.”

[lawrence-related id=2561817,2562241,2547703]

Velasquez is due back in court Aug. 5 for a motion hearing, with an Aug. 19 plea hearing also on the court calendar. Meanwhile, Goularte has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of lewd acts with a child. He is set to have a preliminary trial hearing Sept. 20. The first hearing for a civil lawsuit filed by the Velasquez family against the Goulartes and Bender is set for Sept. 6, with summons served.

In the previously referenced civil case, the Velasquez family filed a lawsuit against the Goulartes and Bender after their 4-year-old son was allegedly molested by Harry Goularte possibly “100 times.”

If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison, according to the California penal code. He faces additional time if found guilty of other counts.

[vertical-gallery id=2563596]

Javier Mendez sees inconsistencies in legal system as Cain Velasquez remains in jail: ‘It makes zero sense to me’

Cain Velasquez’s long-time coach speaks in-depth publicly about the arrest for the first time.

American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez has not spoken much publicly on the arrest of one of his prime fighters, [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag].

Mendez frequently has posted his support for Velasquez on Instagram since the Feb. 28 arrest and has voiced optimism for bail. But in a recent interview with Submission Radio, Mendez went in depth on the topic for the first time publicly.

Mendez trained Velasquez throughout his rise to becoming UFC heavyweight champion in 2010 and through his final fight in 2019. One of Velasquez’s closest confidants, Mendez can’t wrap his head around what he considers to be inconsistencies in the way California – where Velasquez is being held – has handled legal proceedings.

“At the present time that I know of, there’s really nothing other than the judicial system to do their job,” Mendez said. “Hopefully he can get bail soon so he can he be with his family while they work to fight the legal issues that he’s facing. Let’s see what happens. It’s sad that California is doing what they’re doing.

“They let an alleged pedophile out when someone like Cain, who did something that the system was not doing, and now he’s the one that can’t be let out. But the other guy is out, free as a bird. It makes zero sense to me. I speak to so many law officers that are involved, and they all think it’s a bunch of bullsh*t what’s happening to him. And it is. But let the system work itself, and let’s pray he gets what is deserved coming to him, which is freedom.”

[lawrence-related id=2562241,2548958,2547455]

Velasquez, 40, currently faces a handful of charges, the most serious of which is attempted murder, after he allegedly shot a man in a vehicle while targeting another man. If convicted of attempted murder, Velasquez faces 20 years to life in prison. He has yet to enter a plea and has been denied bail three times, including as recently as July 11. Meanwhile, his alleged targetet, Harry Goularte, who is accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son, is out on bail.

While Velasquez has largely remained quiet, albeit expect for a couple of written statements on social media, Mendez was able to speak with the former UFC heavyweight champion recently and said he still had a positive attitude despite an imprisonment that has lasted nearly 150 days and counting.

“I was able to speak with him,” Mendez said. “I went in with his wife about three weeks ago, so I was able to speak with him and see him. He’s in good spirits. He’s the same Cain. I’m sure there are ups and downs when he’s in there, but when I saw him, he was in good spirits.”

Velasquez, 40, is due back in court for a motion hearing Aug. 5 in Santa Clara County superior court. He also has a plea hearing scheduled for Aug. 19. Meanwhile, Goularte, who pled not guilty in June to one charge of lewd acts with a child, awaits a Sept. 20 pre-trial hearing.

A civil lawsuit filed by the Velasquez family against Goularte, Goularte’s family, and their associated business has a hearing set for Sept. 5. Only Paul Bender, Goularte’s stepfather, has responded to summons at the time of this publication.

[vertical-gallery id=451521]

Cain Velasquez denied bail for third time after judge deems Harry Goularte civil testimony status irrelevant

Cain Velasquez defense attorney Mark Geragos tried again, but Judge Shelyna Brown remained firm in her ruling.

[autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] remains in jail after a third attempt to get bail by lead defense attorney Mark Geragos was denied.

This past Monday, Velasquez appeared in the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif., for a hearing during which Judge Shelyna Brown denied a motion for bail once again, according to court documents obtained by MMA Junkie.

In order to challenge the court’s ruling to potentially overturn the previous bail denials, the defense needed to provide Judge Brown with a change of circumstance. Geragos argued that intent by Harry Goularte, Patricia Goularte and Paul Bender to not testify in a civil lawsuit should be seen as a change of circumstance in the criminal case against Velasquez, who is facing a 20 years-to-life sentence in prison for attempted murder.

Geragos added that Velasquez, who’s been in custody since Feb. 28, was willing to post a $1 million bond and accept all requirements of the court in order to be back with his family.

Aaron French of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office argued no decision on testimony status had been made for the Goulartes or Bender.

Ultimately, Judge Brown ruled not to disturb her previous rulings. Brown said testimony status is irrelevant to the risk factor she thinks Velasquez poses.

“Both factually and legally, I think the court got it wrong,” Geragos told MMA Junkie on Thursday.

[lawrence-related id=2549312,2547703,2547455]

At previous hearings, Judge Brown went into greater detail of the risk potential she saw with Velasquez and described his actions as “reckless disregard for human life” after he allegedly initiated a lengthy high-speed chase and shot at a vehicle containing the Goulartes and Bender, who was struck in the arm.

Velasquez is due back in court Aug. 5 for a motion hearing, with an Aug. 19 plea hearing also on the court calendar. Meanwhile, Goularte has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of lewd acts with a child. He is set to have a preliminary trial hearing Sept. 20. The first hearing for the civil lawsuit against the Goulartes and Bender is set for Sept. 6, with summons served.

In the previously referenced civil case, the Velasquez family filed a lawsuit against the Goulartes and Bender after their 4-year-old son was allegedly molested by Harry Goularte.

If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison, according to the California penal code. He faces additional time if found guilty of other counts.

[vertical-gallery id=451521]

Cain Velasquez attorney Mark Geragos concerned about fair prosecution from district attorney

“It’s obvious to me that the DA is serving two masters here and can’t be trusted to prosecute fairly,” Mark Geragos told MMA Junkie in regards to a June 24 hearing.

The legal proceedings roll on for former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag].

A motion hearing was held June 24 at Santa Clara (Calif.) County Hall of Justice, MMA Junkie has learned through court documents. The hearing was court-ordered.

Velasquez’s defense and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office debated in front of Judge Jessica M. Delgado how much information involving the felony case of accused molester Harry Goularte should be entered into discovery for the Velasquez case.

Velasquez is accused of shooting at a moving vehicle that contained three people and allegedly attempted to target Goularte, a man who previously was arrested and accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son.

Velasquez’s lead defense attorney, Mark Geragos, argued the district attorney’s office, represented by attorney Aaron French, has a duty to turn over all findings from the Goularte case for purposes of discovery in the Velasquez case.

Geragos cited “Brady and Giglio,” a policy precedent that “requires prosecutors to disclose exculpatory and impeachment evidence when such evidence is material to guilt or punishment,” according to the National Institute for Jail Operations.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is the prosecutor for both the Velasquez case and the Goularte case.

“It’s obvious to me that the DA is serving two masters here and can’t be trusted to prosecute fairly,” Geragos told MMA Junkie on Thursday.

Since the Velasquez court hearings started, Geragos has indicated he finds the Goularte case relevant to what led to Velasquez’s alleged actions. He echoed that sentiment at this hearing, when he said there is a possibility of imperfect self-defense.

Imperfect self-defense is a law doctrine recognized in California that can downgrade charges if self-defense is deemed partially applicable to a situation.

French argued Geragos’ request painted too broad a picture and said he thinks what should be entered into discovery is only what is deemed relevant to the Velasquez case – not everything deemed relevant to the Goularte case.

No decision on the matter was reached June 24. The two sides and Judge Delgado agreed to table the matter. In the meantime, discussions between the defense and prosecution will continue outside court in anticipation of an agreement to be established at an Aug. 5 hearing.

Velasquez was denied bail for a third time earlier this week. In addition to the hearing for the anticipated resolution, an Aug. 19 plea hearing also is on the court calendar. Goularte has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of lewd acts with a child. He is set to have a preliminary trial hearing Sept. 20. The first hearing for a civil lawsuit filed by the Velasquez family against the Goularte, Patricia Goularte and Paul Bender is set for Sept. 6, with summons served.

If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison, according to the California penal code. He faces additional time if found guilty of other counts.

[vertical-gallery id=451521]

Cain Velasquez plea hearing continued again, as attorneys work out discovery issues

The plea hearing for Cain Velasquez, former UFC champ, was continued yet again, as he faces attempted murder and other charges.

The plea hearing for former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] will have to wait – again.

For the third time in as many hearings at Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif., Velasquez’s attorney Mark Geragos asked Judge S. Franco for a continuance. This time, Geragos cited a need to work through discovery – something district attorney representative Aaron French echoed.

Judge Franco approved and set Velasquez’s new plea hearing date for June 30.

“We’ve discussed at sidebar we’re working through discovery issues and we need to set this, with the court’s blessing, for June 30 in this courtroom,” Geragos said. “If we can’t work out our discovery issues, I’ll follow the court’s procedures for the other court and we can set a date, hopefully before that date. This to reserve a date in this court.”

Discovery is a legal term for the process of exchanging information between two lawsuit parties prior to a hearing or trial. The information can include witnesses, documents, or other pieces of evidence.

[lawrence-related id=2552303,2552175]

Velasquez, 39, faces 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), and carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (one count).

If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison, according to the California penal code. He faces additional time if found guilty of other counts.

Velasquez was arrested Feb. 28 after he allegedly pursued and fired a gun at a car containing three people, including Harry Goularte, a man accused of molestation of Velasquez’s relative, later identified by Geragos as Velasquez’s 4-year-old son. Goularte, who was out on bail after an arrest for “lewd acts with a minor under the age of 14,” was not shot. However, Goularte’s stepfather Paul Bender was allegedly struck in the shoulder with a bullet. Bender claims he is still dealing with physical and emotional trauma as a result of the incident.

On two separate occasions since his arrest, Velasquez went before a judge and asked for bail. Both times he was denied. Judge Shelyna Brown who presided over the bail hearings cited “reckless” alleged actions and public safety concerns as her reasons for the denials.

Monday, Goularte entered a not guilty plea of his own 25 miles away at South Morgan Hill Court House in Morgan Hill, Calif. Goularte appeared virtually at the plea hearing. His attorney stated fear of getting shot was a reason for his client not attending the hearing in person. He is due for a preliminary examination Sept. 20 at Santa Clara Hall of Justice where he is required to be physically be present.

[vertical-gallery id=451521]

Harry Goularte pleads not guilty: Court proceedings for accused molester, alleged Cain Velasquez target to continue

Accused molester and alleged Cain Velasquez target Harry Goularte showed his face for the first time during plea proceedings as he joined his plea hearing virtually.

Harry Goularte, the accused molester and alleged target of gunfire by former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag], has pled not guilty.

Goularte, 43, faces a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor child. He virtually joined a plea hearing Monday heard by Judge Le Jacqueline Duong in South County Morgan Hill Courthouse where his attorney Stephen DeFilippis announced in person the not guilty plea with special obligations denied.

As a result, Goularte will now have a preliminary trial hearing Sept. 20 at Santa Clara Hall of Justice in San Jose as he faces the charge carrying a sentence of up to eight years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

The judge approved a request by the district attorney’s office Goularte must be present for the hearing, a first for the defendant, who joined virtually during his first two plea hearings with DeFilippis citing safety concerns.

Judge Duong issued Goularte a criminal protective order that he must stay at least 300 yards away from the alleged victim at all times. Goularte appeared on screen, but only spoke twice at the hearing, with two-or-less word answers responding to his attorney.

According to investigators, Goularte sexually assaulted a four-year-old child at a daycare he resided at run by his mother. The child, who was later publicly identified by defense attorney Mark Geragos as Velasquez’s four-year-old son, told investigators Goularte took the child to the bathroom and touched the child’s genitals. The child said it happened “100 times” and that over children were seen going into the bathroom with Goularte.

Two days after his arrest, Goularte was granted $50,000 bail. One day later, Velasquez allegedly pursued and fired a gun at Goularte. While Goularte was not physically injured, his stepfather Paul Bender was allegedly struck by a bullet in the shoulder. Bender said in May he was still struggling with health issues and can no longer to work.

Since that day, Velasquez has remained behind bars, denied bail twice based on alleged actions Judge Sheylna Brown called “reckless.” Velasquez is due back in court for a plea hearing of his own Friday at Santa Clara Hall of Justice in San Jose. The plea hearing has already been granted two continuances.

[vertical-gallery id=451521]

Khabib Nurmagomedov puzzled by Cain Velasquez’s imprisonment: ‘What about other guy?’

Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t understand why Cain Velasquez is in prison and the alleged abuser isn’t.

[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] doesn’t understand why Cain Velasquez is still in prison and why the man who allegedly molested a family member of Velasquez’s isn’t.

The former UFC lightweight champion thinks Velasquez should’ve been granted bail after his arrest for an alleged shooting of Paul Bender back in March. Police say Velasquez shot Bender in the arm while he targeted Bender’s stepson, Harry Goularte, as they were chased in a truck in San Jose, Calif.

Nurmagomedov is understanding of Velasquez’s reaction, and despite it being careless and dangerous, Nurmagomedov doesn’t think it means Velasquez is a danger to society.

“Anybody in the world who respects himself, who loves his family is going to do same thing, exactly,” Nurmagomedov told TMZ. “Come on, nobody is going to think of law or something when you have something about your family. You have to protect your family. If animals protect their family, of course, humans are going to protect their family.

“They talk about law court about jail, but I don’t understand these things. This is not fair. He sit in jail and other guy is outside. What about other guy? Put this guy in jail too. He’s more dangerous for people than Cain Velasquez.”

[lawrence-related id=2547703,2545809]

Nurmagomedov was a teammate of Velasquez back when they were active fighters. Both fighters trained at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose under the tutelage of Javier Mendez.

From years of knowing Velasquez, Nurmagomedov said the former UFC heavyweight champion was far from a threat to anyone outside of the octagon.

“Never in his life, and he’s 40 years old, never in his life he had problem in social, outside with people, in gym,” Nurmagomedov said. “He’s the most respectful guy I’ve ever seen in my life. I trained with him for more than 10 years. I know his family. Everybody loves Cain. This is his kids. I don’t understand. Ok put him in jail, but what about other guy? He’s more dangerous than Cain. Cain is dangerous for only one guy, but this guy is dangerous for everybody. I don’t understand this.”

[vertical-gallery id=437333]

Attorney: Victims in alleged Cain Velasquez shooting experiencing trauma, intimidation since attack

The attorney for Paul Bender confirmed to MMA Junkie that a Cain Velasquez supporter threw a molotov cocktail toward his client’s home.

An attorney for the man allegedly shot by [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] during a high-speed chase says his client is dealing with a handful of challenges in the wake of the incident.

Paul Bender spoke by video call Monday during a bail hearing for Velasquez, who was denied for the second time. Police say Velasquez shot Bender in the arm while he targeted Bender’s stepson, Harry Goularte, as they were chased in a truck in San Jose, Calif. Velasquez was arrested and charged with attempted murder, among other gun charges. The shooting took place days after Goularte was arrested and released on bail for alleged “lewd acts” with Velasquez’s 4-year-old son.

“I am fearful for my life, as well as for the lives of my family,” Bender said Monday as he lobbied for Velasquez not to receive bail.

Bender also claimed to have suffered a severed brachial artery and nerve as a result of the alleged shooting, which has limited the function of his right arm and left him unable to work.

On Wednesday, Bender’s lawyer, Patrick Steinfeld, shared a photo of Bender’s injury with MMA Junkie. He added that his client is a longtime truck driver, who can no longer pass the proper DOT (Department of Transportation) physical examinations due to lack of mobility in his fingers and arm. Bender is undergoing physical therapy; long-term prognosis is unknown.

According to Steinfeld, both Bender and Patricia Goularte are dealing with numerous issues caused by the alleged incident.

“Patty Goularte said she was crouched down in the vehicle hiding when she heard the bullets piercing metal of their vehicle,” Steinfeld told MMA Junkie. “They are both undergoing therapy at this time. I think there are going to be long-term emotional issues related to this shooting.”

Finishing what Velasquez started?

Paul Bender shows his scar from surgery after allegedly being shot by Cain Velasquez.

Additionally, Steinfeld said Bender and Patricia Goularte have encountered numerous instances of intimidation from Velasquez supporters. Police have been called on several occasions, Steinfeld said. He also confirmed a rumor that a molotov cocktail was thrown toward their home on one occasion.

“There has been ongoing intimidation from the Cain Velasquez supporters during this entire proceeding,” Steinfeld said. “There have been no acts of aggression, but the family has been followed. Vehicles have stopped in front of their house for long periods of time and just stared at the Bender household. They’ve been followed to houses of other family members. Paul Bender and Patty Goularte feel threatened by Cain supporters. They find them very intimidating. They fear for their lives. They are afraid that one of Cain’s supporters may try to finish what Cain has started.”

Velasquez’s lead defense attorney, Mark Geragos, told MMA Junkie this week that he was disappointed in Judge Shelyna Brown’s denial of bail for his client. He added that he saw irony in the notion that Harry Goularte’s family are victims.

“There is a degree of irony in that the accused pedophile and his presumed co-conspirators are out there trying to claim the mantle of victim,” Geragos said. “I’ll leave it at that. I always prefer having a client out, but Cain is strong. I look forward to vindicating him.”

[lawrence-related id=2547455,2545809]

‘Trust the judicial system’

Unlike Geragos, Steinfeld agreed with Brown denying Velasquez bail on Monday.

“(Judge Brown) dismissed his arguments and kept Cain Velasquez in jail where we think he belongs,” Steinfeld said. “He’s an absolute menace to society. It was clear on the day of the shooting. He didn’t care who saw him or what the ramifications of his conduct would be. His only concern was killing Harry Goularte.”

Steinfeld asked Velasquez supporters, and the community as a whole, to respect the judicial system as the court proceedings continue.

“The message that the family has to the entire community, as well as the Cain supporters, is to have faith in the judicial system and trust that all victims, young or old, are going to have a voice in the judicial process,” Steinfeld said. “Therefore, trust the judicial system and just let it play out. Justice will prevail.”

[vertical-gallery id=451521]

‘Cain Velasquez has no respect for human life’: Alleged shooting victim speaks out for first time

64-year-old Paul Bender allegedly was shot in the arm by Cain Velasquez during a high-speed chase Feb. 28.

The alleged shooting victim in the attempted murder case against former UFC champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] has spoken out for the first time.

Paul Bender said Monday that he fears of his life, as well as the lives of his family, after allegedly being shot by Velasquez. Bender, 64, said he’s lost function in three fingers because of damage to his brachial artery as a result of sustaining a gunshot wound to his arm.

Bender was the driver of a Chevy Silverado that police say Velasquez rammed with his Ford F250 and shot at during a high-speed chase on Feb. 28 in San Jose, Calif. Velasquez’s intended target was Harry Goularte, who is accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son (identified by Velasquez attorney Mark Geragos in court Monday). Goularte and his mother were passengers in the Silverado.

Bender’s comments were part of a hearing in which Judge Shelyna Brown denied Velasquez bail. Prior to Brown’s ruling, Bender appeared virtually on Microsoft Teams to give his statement.

“Good morning, your honor. My name is Paul Bender. I am the person who was driving the truck and the person shot by Cain Velasquez (on) February 28th, 2022,” Bender said. “We were simply following a court order to get a GPS monitoring device for Harry when Cain Velasquez started following us. He shot at us and chased us at speeds over a hundred miles an hour. When we came to a stop near a school, Cain Velasquez shot at us again, severing my brachial artery and nerve. I have lost the use of three fingers and can no longer work because I could not pass my (Department of Transportation) physical. Without the use of my right hand, we do not know if this loss is permanent.

“Cain Velasquez has no respect for human life. He could’ve easily shot the family in the car next to us, innocent pedestrians, or even young children. Cain Velasquez does not care who sees him do this. He does not care about the rule of law and has no respect for our judicial system. If given the opportunity, I believe he will try to finish what he started. I am fearful for my life, as well as for the lives of my family. No amount of bail or GPS monitor will stop Cain Velasquez. Respectfully, your honor, I ask that you please help keep my family safe and our community safe from Cain Velasquez and deny his request for bail.”

[lawrence-related id=2545809,2538062,2529425]

It was the second time that Brown denied bail in the Velasquez case after she didn’t set an amount during his arraignment March 2, two days after he was arrested.

Velasquez, 39, faces 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), and carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (one count).

If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison. He faces additional time if found guilty of other counts.

[vertical-gallery id=451521]