Mark Geragos, the attorney defending former UFC champion Cain Velasquez, is more disappointed than anything, but it’s not all bad.
On Monday, Velasquez was denied bail for the second time by Judge Shelyna Brown during a hearing at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. While Geragos disagreed with the interpretation of the law, he thinks something positive came from the discussion.
“Obviously, I respectfully disagree,” Geragos told MMA Junkie on Monday. “I think the court has ruled on the facts of the law. However, if there is any kind of of a silver lining, it’s that the court opined he has a viable defense.
“There is a degree of irony in that the accused pedophile and his presumed co-conspirators are out there trying to claim the mantle of victim. I’ll leave it at that. I always prefer having a client out, but Cain is strong. I look forward to vindicating him.”
While Geragos didn’t elaborate further, the silver lining could refer to the judge’s analysis of traumatic brain injuries and CTE’s relevance in a trial case.
During Monday’s hearing, Geragos argued medical evaluations provided evidence of TBI and possible CTE. While Judge Brown denied bail for the second time on the basis of maintained “risk analysis,” she stated that brain injuries “might be a suitable defense or a pertinent defense or something that should be considered for mitigation.”
In April, Judge Jose S. Franco approved a vague motion that medical records be introduced into the court. The purpose was unclear until Monday when Geragos mentioned the conditions for the first time in the public forum.
Velasquez is due back in court June 10 for his plea hearing, which was scheduled twice prior but granted continuances each time. He faces charges of attempted murder (one count), shooting at a motor vehicle or aircraft (one count), assault with a firearm (three counts), assault with a deadly weapon (three counts), willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle (one count), and carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (one count).
If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison. He faces additional time if found guilty of other counts.
Cain Velasquez attorney sees silver lining after bail denied: ‘Court opined he has a viable defense’