Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was denied bail in a hearing this past Monday.
Cain Velasquez denied bail
Cain Velasquez was represented by defense attorney Mark Geragos, who made an appearance in a courtroom at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice for the request for his bail. Judge Shelyna Brown denied bail to the MMA star in the case of attempted murder.
In addition to the statements filed previously, both parties were allowed time to further their arguments. In a hearing that lasted roughly 30 minutes, #FreeCain supporters were rampant in their support outside the courthouse. Former two-division champ Daniel Cormier and AKA head coach Javier Mendez were in attendance as well.
After originally being denied bail at arraignment in March, the defense called for another hearing and reconsideration by Judge Brown. They cited multiple changes in circumstances to be the reason for the appeal.
Potential CTE conditions
For their latest hearing, the defense put forward the possibility of traumatic brain injuries and potential CTE conditions. They argued Cain Velasquez might have acted impulsively due to the injuries he suffered throughout his fighting career.
Velasquez was arrested after allegedly having shot Harry Goularte. He ended up hitting the victim’s stepfather, Paul Bender in the arm as they drove away on public streets. A few days before the alleged shooting, Goularte was arrested on accusations of “lewd acts” with a 4-year-old member of Velasquez’s family.
Judge Brown summarized the motion for bail by the defense as follows
“The defense has proposed a medical change with regard to TBI (traumatic brain injury) and CTE. They have presented some evidence that Mr. Velasquez suffers from TBI and possibly from CTE. They argue that perhaps it’s one of, or both of, these medical concerns or conditions that may have led to a lack of impulse control”
“The court always appreciates community interest in a case, but the court is not ruled by community opinion at all. The court is ruled only by the law. The law, in this case, is clear.”
The defense had proposed terms of a bail agreement which included $1 million posted bail, electronic monitoring, relocation to an out-of-state inpatient facility, and/or around-the-clock supervision. Velasquez’s camp was willing to extend the agreement if needed.
