The ongoing saga of former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez took another small step forward on Friday.
Velasquez entered a not guilty plea to multiple charges Friday morning before Judge Jessica Delgado at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, California. The former fighter, 40, stands accused of attempted murder and related charges after allegedly going on a rampage this past February that included a high speed chase on a San Jose highway, in pursuit of a man alleged to have assaulted a minor relative of Velasquez.
None of the charges, against Velasquez or the accused in the case of the fighter’s relative, have been proven in court. However, in the case of Velasquez, police reports noted that in in carrying out the attack, which involved firing live rounds at a fleeing vehicle, Velasquez struck the wrong man, instead hitting the intended victim’s step father.
Velasquez has been held without bail since his arrest, a matter that is currently set for appeal.
Per a report by MMA Junkie, Velasquez will return to court August 29 for an in-camera hearing in private chambers. A pre-trial hearing is set for September 26.
In addition to attempted murder, Velasquez faces the following criminal charges:
- shooting at a motor vehicle or aircraft (one count)
- assault with a firearm (three counts)
- assault with a deadly weapon (three counts)
- willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle (one count)
- carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (one count)
If convicted, the ex-UFC star, who more recently had embarked on a professional wrestling career, faces twenty years to life in prison.
