The trial for former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has once again been postponed, adding to the ongoing suspense surrounding the case. Velasquez and his defense attorney Renee Hessling made an appearance in Santa Clara County court, where Judge Panteha Saban approved their request to reschedule the hearing to August 2. The district attorney’s office did not object to the request.
Velasquez, now 40 years old, previously pleaded not guilty to several charges, including attempted murder, following an incident in February 2022. Allegedly, Velasquez pursued and fired shots at a vehicle carrying three individuals. He spent over eight months in jail before being granted bail with specific conditions in November.
Prosecutors claim that Velasquez targeted Harry Goularte, who had been accused of molesting Velasquez’s then-four-year-old son at a daycare. However, it was Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, who sustained injuries when Velasquez opened fire.
Goularte had already been arrested before the alleged shooting and is facing a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor under the age of 14. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for his own trial setting on July 5.
In addition to the criminal proceedings, the Velasquez family has filed a civil lawsuit against the Goulartes, Bender, and businesses associated with the daycare operated by Goularte’s mother, Patricia.
If Velasquez is found guilty of attempted murder, he could potentially face a minimum of 20 years in prison, up to a life sentence, in accordance with the California penal code.
