• Former wrestler Caín Velásquez was again left without the right to bail that he requested.
  • The alleged victim spoke for the first time at a hearing.
  • The fighter is being held on multiple charges, including attempted murder.

The fighter Caín Velásquez, former champion of the UFC, was again left without the right to bail that he requested, while the alleged victim of the shooting in the attempted murder case for which he is accused spoke for the first time in court on Monday, May 16, as reported by USA Today.

Paul Bender said Monday that he fears for his life, as well as that of his family, after allegedly being shot by Cain Velasquez. The 64-year-old complainant said that he has lost the function of three fingers due to damage to the brachial artery as a result of the gunshot wound he received in the arm, USA Today reported.

CAÍN VELÁSQUEZ WAS LEFT WITHOUT BAIL AGAIN

Bender was the driver of a Chevy Silverado that police say Cain Velasquez rammed and shot in his Ford F250 truck during a high-speed chase on Feb. 28 in San Jose, California. The fighter’s target was Harry Goularte, accused of abusing a 4-year-old relative of Cain Velásquez. Back then, Goularte and his mother were passengers in the Silverado.

Bender’s account was part of a hearing in which Judge Shelyna Brown again denied bail to the Mexican-American fighter in recent months, AS mentioned . Before the recent ruling, Bender appeared virtually on Microsoft Teams to give his statement, USA Today reported.

“IT DOES NOT RESPECT HUMAN LIFE”

“Good morning, your honor. My name is Paul Bender. I am the person who was driving the van and the person who was shot by Cain Velasquez (on) February 28, 2022. We were just following a court order to get a GPS monitoring device for Harry (Goularte) when Cain Velasquez started following us. He fired at us and chased us at speeds of over a hundred kilometers per hour. When we stopped near a school, Caín Velásquez fired at us again, damaging my brachial artery and nerve. I have lost the use of three fingers and can no longer work because I failed my physical (from the Department of Transportation). Without the use of my right hand, we don’t know if this loss is permanent,” Bender said.

“Caín Velásquez does not respect human life. He could have easily shot the family in the next car, innocent bystanders, or even small children. Cain Velasquez doesn’t care who sees him do this. He doesn’t care about the rule of law and he doesn’t respect our judicial system. Given the opportunity, I think he will try to finish what he started. I fear for my life, as well as that of my family. No amount of bail or GPS monitor will stop Cain Velasquez. Respectfully, your honor, I ask that you please help keep my family and our community safe from Cain Velasquez and deny his bond request,” the victim added, according to the USA Today review.

HOW LONG WOULD YOU SPEND IN PRISON IF FOUND GUILTY?

This was the second time Judge Brown had denied bail in Cáin Velásquez’s case after he failed to set an amount during his March 2 appearance, two days after he was arrested. The fighter, 39, faces charges of attempted murder (one count), firing into a motor vehicle or aircraft (one count), assault with a firearm (three counts), assault with a deadly weapon (three counts), intentionally discharging a firearm from a vehicle (one count), and carrying a loaded firearm with the intent to commit a felony (one count).

If convicted of attempted murder, Cain Velásquez faces a minimum of 20 years in prison and up to life in prison. He also faces additional penalties if convicted of other charges, explained the USA Today report published late Monday, May 16.

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