Cain Velazquez accepts the fate of his path coming on Monday in a California courthouse.
Three years after being arrested for attempted murder and other charges, Velazquez is scheduled to rule in the Santa Clara County Judicial Hall of Fame in San Jose. He remained very quiet about the 2022 shooting and the circumstances surrounding it, but Velazquez recently spoke openly to former teammate Kyle Kingsbury on the Kyle Kingsbury podcast.
“From what I can say about myself, the way I handled things was not the way I did it,” Velazquez said. “We can’t put the law into our own hands. …I’ve already vowed to be guilty (no contest) so I’m going to get a sentence (Monday). I know what I did, and it was me who did it and reacted that way.”
Velazquez was arrested in February 2022 after chasing a vehicle carrying Harry Goalute, a man accused of abusing Velazquez’s four-year-old son, and fired a handgun several times in a high-speed daytime chase. Velazquez attacked Golarte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, and suffered an arm injury.
“What I did wasn’t right,” Velazquez said. “I understand that. I have paid, and I will pay anything else as long as I have to do to pay it back. I don’t think I can pay it back, but I can learn from my mistakes and help others. I can tell you whenever something is not right.
As for Goularte’s family, Velasquez said he had no malicious intentions and forgave them. Goularte’s mother, Patricia Goularte, performed a daycare where alleged abuse occurred.
“Even those families and what they did, I can’t hate them that way for them. “I can’t give them hatred because I have to share this with everyone. I want them to heal whatever it is, whatever it is. I understand that there is trauma in them. It’s not right to spread it either.”
Velazquez initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. In August, the plea was changed to a NO contest. This indicates that it is likely that the prosecution and the defense have reached an agreement. The agreement could be revealed in San Jose on Monday, except for continuation.
Regardless of the punishment he may face, Velazquez said he has a new, enlightened mindset of what is most important to him in life. That’s what he’s hanging.
“Everything is sacred and my children are amazing,” Velazquez said. “My son is amazing. He is one of the strongest and most interesting kids I know. He is my best friend. I’m proud of who he is. He doesn’t define him. This is another version of yourself and I love how excited I am when I was a child. So… yes.”
Goularte began trial on June 2nd and faces felony charges of indecency with a minor. Goularte pleaded not guilty.
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