There have been concerns in the recent developments of the Cain Velasquez case.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was arrested earlier this year for allegedly firing shots in the direction of a vehicle containing Harry Goularte Jr., who was previously arrested and accused of molesting Velasquez’s 4-year-old son.
Cain Velasquez Attorney Concerned About DA ‘Serving 2 Masters’
A court-ordered motion hearing was held on June 24 at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice, first reported by MMA Junkie. Judge Jessica M. Delgado heard the arguments of Velasquez’s defense and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office regarding how much information from the felony case of accused molester Harry Goularte Jr. should be entered into discovery for the Velasquez case.
Mark Geragos, Velasquez’s lead defense attorney, was of the conviction that the onus was on the district attorney’s office, represented by attorney Aaron French, to turn over all findings from the Goularte case for purposes of discovery in the Velasquez case.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is the prosecutor for both the Velasquez case and the Goularte case.
Geragos expressed concerns about the district attorney providing a fair prosecution.
“It’s obvious to me that the DA is serving two masters here and can’t be trusted to prosecute fairly.”
Geragos finds the Goularte case relevant to include
Geragos believes that Velasquez’s alleged actions may have some basis stemming from the Goularte case. He finds it relevant to include the possibility of imperfect self-defense, a law doctrine recognized in California that may reduce the existing charges if self-defense is thought to be partially applicable to a situation.
French argued that the inclusion would draw too wide of a net and insisted only what is deemed relevant to the Velasquez case be entered into discovery.
No decision was ruled at the end of the hearing with both sides and Judge Delgado agreeing to table the matter. Discussions outside court are expected to continue for an agreement to be established at an Aug. 5 hearing.
Velasquez was recently denied bail for the third time. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison with additional time if found guilty of the other charges.
