UFC heavyweight Cain Velasquez remains behind bars following his arrest earlier this year. Velasquez, who pursued and shot at a car containing a man alleged to have molested his four-year-old daughter, took to Twitter in his first public statement since the arrest for attempted murder.
In the statement, Velasquez reiterated his gratitude to those who supported him, and expressed sympathy for the “true victims” of the case. Presumably, he means any of the children allegedly molested by Harry Goularte.
Cain Velasquez Breaks Silence From Behind Bars
“To everyone that has expressed your support, my family and I will never be able to thank you enough. From the bottom of our hearts and the depths of our souls, we are forever grateful for your love. Your selfless gestures and kind words have given me strength in my darkest times.
This story is complex and slowly unraveling as we speak. To the true victims of this case, may God give you the strength to come forward. Though it is most difficult to relive the pain that has happened to you, in speaking the truth, justice will be served and your own healing will start.
I will never stop helping or loving my community and all of you. Thank you for loving me – Cain Velasquez.” If Cain Velasquez is convicted of the charges laid against him, he could face up to twenty years in prison.
After facing court on Tuesday, he was granted a continuance until May 6 for a plea hearing. Cain Velasquez remains in jail without bail.
Present in the packed courtroom were his longtime friends UFC commentator Daniel Cormier and American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez.
This is consistent with the outpouring of support that Velasquez has enjoyed from the MMA community following his February arrest.
Velasquez’s attack on Harry Goularte came after Goularte was released on bail following allegations of repeated sexual assaults of a minor over a long period of time. Velasquez pursued Goularte in a car chase over eleven miles, firing multiple rounds from his .40 caliber handgun. One stray shot hit Goularte’s stepfather, in the vehicle with the alleged child molester, sending him to hospital.
Although Cain Velasquez has enjoyed significant support from those within the MMA community, including letters written by UFC president Dana White to the judge overseeing his case, the legal system has been less generous. Shelyna Brown denied Velasquez bail back in March, condemning the heavyweight’s actions “extreme recklessness to human life.”
What are your thoughts on the Cain Velasquez case? Should he be granted bail, or remain behind bars?
