Cain Velasquez, the former UFC heavyweight champion, will face trial for attempted murder and other charges related to an incident that occurred in March 2022. The trial is scheduled to begin on September 9th in Santa Clara County, California, and is expected to last several weeks.
Velasquez was arrested after allegedly pursuing a vehicle containing a man accused of molesting his son and firing multiple rounds from a handgun. The victim, Paul Bender, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. A hearing is scheduled for June 26th to assess trial readiness, and witness lists are due by September 4th.
Velasquez has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and shooting at an occupied vehicle. He faces a minimum of 20 years in prison or up to life in prison if convicted of attempted murder.
The case has garnered significant attention due to Velasquez’s high-profile status as a former UFC champion. It is expected to be a closely watched trial with potentially significant consequences for Velasquez and his family.
