On Monday, a California judge denied bail for ex-UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, who is accused of trying to kill a man who allegedly molested a 4-year-old family member.
According to The Mercury News, Santa Clara County judge Shelyna Brown found it was still too risky to release Velasquez, 39, on high bail and electronic monitoring. She also noted how Velasquez put bystanders in danger during the February 28 shooting in South San José.
Velasquez is charged with attempted murder for trying to kill Harry Goularte. Late last month, a relative of Velasquez’s reportedly told police that Goularte molested her at a home daycare in San Martin. Goularte’s mother reportedly runs the daycare and Goularte also lives at the residence.
“The idea of keeping him in jail while Goularte runs free is the ultimate (example) of the criminal-justice system gone mad,” defense attorney Mark Geragos said on Monday. “You can set a high bail, but this is not a no-bail case.”
Goluarte had been charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14. He was arraigned on February 25 and placed on supervised release — against the wishes of Santa Clara County prosecutors.
Three days later, Goluarte was en route to get an electronic monitor fitted when Velasquez allegedly chased him from San Martin through Morgan Hill before shooting at him in South San José, reportedly near a school. Velasquez was arrested in San José.
Goluarte’s mother and stepfather were also in the vehicle at the time of the shooting. The stepfather was wounded in his arm and torso but he is expected to survive, according to SFGate.
“The facts are clear here this was an alleged act of violence that involved following the individuals, chasing the individuals, ramming the individuals, and firing at the individuals at point-blank range,” the judge said during Monday’s hearing.
“The risk is too great and there will be no bail set at this time.”
Velasquez is due back in court on April 14.
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[Featured image: Cain Velasquez/San José Police Department]
