Cain Velasquez Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Attempted Murder
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, 42, has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading no contest to attempted murder charges stemming from a 2022 high-speed car chase and shooting. The sentencing concludes a lengthy legal battle that began after Velasquez pursued and fired shots into a vehicle occupied by Harry Goularte,who was accused of molesting Velasquez’s then 4-year-old son.
High-Speed Chase and Shooting Led to Multiple Charges
The incident occurred in 2022 when Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile car chase targeting Goularte.During the pursuit, Velasquez fired multiple shots into the vehicle, which also contained Goularte’s mother and stepfather, Paul Bender. Bender sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm.
Prosecutors Sought Lengthier Sentence
Prosecutors had sought a 30-year prison sentence for the two-time heavyweight champion. Velasquez faced 10 charges in total related to the incident. Ultimately, he pleaded no contest to the charges, leading to the five-year sentence.
Velasquez Expresses Remorse, Acknowledges Wrongdoing
Prior to the sentencing, Velasquez acknowledged his actions were wrong. “From what I can say as far as myself, the way that I handled things, that was not the way to do it,” Velasquez said on The Kyle kingsbury Podcast.”We cannot put the law in our own hands.” He stated that he took full responsibility for his actions and recognized the potential harm to everyone involved.
From UFC Legend to Wrestling Ring and Courtroom
Cain velasquez retired from MMA in 2019 and transitioned to professional wrestling, including appearances with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. His career is now overshadowed by the legal consequences of his actions related to 2022 incident.
Sentencing Concludes Lengthy Court Process
The sentencing, which took place at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, California, marks the end of a complex legal process that had been subject to numerous delays.
What were the specific charges Cain Velasquez faced, and how did his plea affect his sentencing?
Cain Velasquez Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Attempted Murder
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, 42, has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading no contest to attempted murder charges stemming from a 2022 high-speed car chase and shooting. The sentencing concludes a lengthy legal battle that began after Velasquez pursued and fired shots into a vehicle occupied by Harry Goularte,who was accused of molesting Velasquez’s than 4-year-old son.
High-Speed Chase and Shooting Led to Multiple Charges
The incident occurred in 2022 when Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile car chase targeting Goularte.During the pursuit,Velasquez fired multiple shots into the vehicle,which also contained Goularte’s mother and stepfather,Paul Bender. Bender sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm.
Prosecutors Sought Lengthier sentence
Prosecutors had sought a 30-year prison sentence for the two-time heavyweight champion. Velasquez faced 10 charges in total related to the incident.Ultimately, he pleaded no contest to the charges, leading to the five-year sentence.
Velasquez Expresses Remorse, Acknowledges Wrongdoing
Prior to the sentencing, Velasquez acknowledged his actions were wrong.”From what I can say as far as myself, the way that I handled things, that was not the way to do it,” Velasquez said on The Kyle kingsbury podcast.”We cannot put the law in our own hands.” He stated that he took full responsibility for his actions and recognized the potential harm to everyone involved.
From UFC Legend to Wrestling Ring and Courtroom
Cain velasquez retired from MMA in 2019 and transitioned to professional wrestling, including appearances with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.His career is now overshadowed by the legal consequences of his actions related to 2022 incident.
Sentencing Concludes Lengthy Court Process
The sentencing, which took place at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, California, marks the end of a complex legal process that had been subject to numerous delays.
Q&A: Unpacking the Cain Velasquez Sentencing
Why was Cain Velasquez sentenced to five years?
Cain Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison for attempted murder, as well as felony assault and other related gun charges, after a 2022 incident. He pleaded no contest to the charges stemming from a high-speed chase and shooting targeting a man accused of molesting his son [[1](https://apnews.com/article/cain-velasquez-ufc-fighter-shooting-attempted-murder-prison-803b4ba8b705dc1057248f01b3a4092d)].
What exactly happened in 2022?
In 2022, Velasquez engaged in an 11-mile car chase and fired shots into a vehicle occupied by Harry Goularte, who had been accused of abusing velasquez’s son. Goularte’s mother and stepfather were also in the car. The stepfather was injured by a gunshot wound.
Why didn’t Velasquez get the 30-year sentence the prosecutors sought?
Velasquez pleaded ”no contest” to the charges, which is not an admission of guilt but has the same legal effect in this case. This plea likely played a role in the sentencing outcome, resulting in a five-year sentence rather of the 30 years initially sought by the prosecutors.
What does “no contest” mean in this context?
A “no contest” plea means Velasquez accepted the conviction without admitting guilt. It’s treated the same as a guilty plea for sentencing purposes. This plea can often be used to avoid admitting guilt in a criminal case while still accepting the punishment. This is also know as a nolo contendere plea
What’s next for Cain Velasquez?
Velasquez will begin serving his five-year prison sentence. His future in professional wrestling and any other public endeavors are now uncertain, with his legacy substantially impacted by the legal consequences of his actions.
The Cain Velasquez case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due process and the complexities that arise when personal emotions intersect with legal justice.
