San Jose, CA – Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been granted bail after a 2-day pre-trial hearing. Judge Arthur Bocanegra presided over the hearing.
MMAJunkie first reported the news.
Velasquez, 40, is charged with 10 counts including first-degree attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. On day 2 of the hearing Judge Bocanegra ruled on two motions brought forth by the defense.
The first motion was to dismiss count 1 which is attempted premeditated murder. After a 45-minute recess Judge Bocanegra ruled that Velasquez would face that count at trial, but that an argument that “crime of passion” could be applicable should more evidence surface.
The second motion from the defense was for bail. Attorney Mark Geragos argued that Velasquez is not a threat to Henry Goularte faces a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor in a separate trial.
Aaron French, who represents the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office argued that Velasquez is a threat to Goularte “as long as he’s alive.” He asked Judge Bocanegra to deny bail once again.
In an animated argument in favor of granting Velasquez’s bail, Geragos went over the events of the day in detail. Geragos spoke on Velasquez’s cooperation with authorities from the moment of his arrest up to this point, and pointed out that Velasquez was not “caught” but gave himself up on his own.
Geragos then went after French saying the DA’s attorney spoke of a “parade of horribles” that never happened, but French had argued “could” have happened.
French responded by saying his arguments had been misrepresented by the defense.
After a 10-minute recess Judge Bocanegra granted Velasquez’s bail of $1 million. Judge Bocanegra detailed Velasquez’s lack of criminal history, lack of flight risk, and stipulations that had previously been put in place.
MMA Junkie’s Nolan King has been reporting on the trial all along and updates can be found from him here.
