Cain Velasquez Pleads No Contest to Charges Following Alleged Incident
In a dramatic turn of events, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has entered a no-contest plea to charges of felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapon violations. This plea was submitted on Friday at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, California.
The charges stem from an intense car chase incident involving Velasquez and a man he accused of molesting his four-year-old son, Harry Goularte. According to reports, Velasquez engaged in a high-speed pursuit and discharged his firearm multiple times at the vehicle carrying Goularte. Though Goularte was not hit, his stepfather was inadvertently struck by the gunfire.
Following this dramatic episode, Velasquez was arrested and subsequently released from jail in November on a conditional bail set at $1 million. By entering a no-contest plea, Velasquez strategically removed the element of premeditation from the equation, thereby averting the mandatory life sentence that premeditated charges would have demanded. This maneuver leaves Velasquez eligible for a lesser sentence, which will be decided in upcoming court hearings.
Meanwhile, Harry Goularte is awaiting trial on a felony count of lewd acts with a child, a case that has certainly added layers of complexity and urgency to Velasquez's legal situation. The sentencing hearing for Velasquez is set for October 18, where the final repercussions of his actions will be determined.
Velasquez enjoyed a celebrated career in mixed martial arts, highlighted by his December 2012 capture of the UFC heavyweight championship via an overwhelmingly dominant performance against Junior dos Santos. Velasquez went on to robustly defend his title twice, solidifying his legacy in the octagon. However, his journey in MMA met an abrupt end when he faced a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in 2019.
A man of many talents, Velasquez also ventured into the world of professional wrestling, engaging in high-profile matches, including a marquee bout against Brock Lesnar in WWE. While Velasquez's sports career has been punctuated by remarkable achievements, his current legal battle brings a different kind of attention to his name.
The upcoming court proceedings will undoubtedly be closely watched by those in the sports community, as well as the general public, given Velasquez's prominence and the serious nature of the charges against him. As the legal drama unfolds, fans and critics alike will be awaiting the October 18 hearing to see what the future holds for the former champion.
While Velasquez's professional career in sports is filled with accolades, the challenges he faces now in the legal arena represent a different kind of fight, one that could significantly alter the trajectory of his life moving forward.