Cain Velasquez is scheduled to go to trial on Sept. 9 to face attempted murder charges, but it’s likely the former UFC heavyweight champion’s court case gets pushed back to a later date.
On Wednesday, a trial readiness hearing was held in Santa Clara County Court in California with Velasquez’s attorney Renee Hessling appearing before Judge Elizabeth Peterson to provide an update as the trial date draws nearer. Hessling indicated that she expects to file for a continuance in the case to get the trial date pushed back from the September start time.
“I would indicate that I am not ready for trial in September,” Hessling told the court. “I have not filed a 1050. As the date gets closer, if I am still not ready, I will file a 1050 that outlines the good cause reasoning.”
A 1050 is the penal code filed by either the prosecution or the defense when seeking a continuance in a court case.
While Hessling indicated that she expects to file for continuance, a judge won’t rule on that until a later date, so for now Velasquez’s trial is still expected to begin on Sept. 9 at 8:35 a.m. local time. The judge ordered that Velasquez must appear at the start of his trial should the start date remain unchanged.
Velasquez, 41, was arrested on Feb. 28, 2022, after allegedly going on a high-speed chase pursuing a car containing Harry Goularte, a man accused of sexually abusing his son at a daycare owned by Goularte’s mother. Velasquez allegedly fired several rounds from a handgun into the vehicle, with Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, being hit by a bullet and sustaining non-life threatening injuries as a result.
Goularte, who was released on bail against the recommendation from the prosecution prior to the alleged car chase, faces separate charges, including one count of lewd acts with a child. A trial-setting date in his case is currently scheduled for July 17.
While he awaits trial, Velasquez remains out on bail after spending several months in jail before a judge ultimately allowed him to return home under conditions set by the court. Since then, Velasquez has returned to coaching at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose and also performed in professional wrestling shows.
The prosecution previously argued against further delays in the trial considering Velasquez was first arrested back in February 2022. During a prior hearing this past February, prosecutors indicated that discussions were ongoing with the defense about a potential resolution to the case, which could result in a plea deal. At this point, no deal has been struck.
If convicted on all charges, Velasquez potentially faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
