Harry Goularte waives right to speedy trial as date setting delayed one month

It’ll be at least four more weeks until accused child molester Harry Goularte gets a date for trial.

At a trial setting hearing held Monday at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif., Goularte waived his right to a speedy trial. The date setting hearing was rescheduled for April 12. Goularte did not attend the hearing in person but joined virtually.

Goularte, 44, previously pleaded not guilty to one felony charge of lewd acts with a minor under the age of 14. He was arrested in February 2022 after he allegedly touched the genitals of a child in a bathroom at a daycare run by his mother. The child was later identified as the then-4-year-old son of former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.

At a Feb. 27 hearing, Velasquez’s son, Cain Jr., took the stand to testify and reaffirmed claims that Goularte touched his penis. Cain Jr. received questioning from both Deputy District Attorney Robert Philbrook and Goularte defense attorney Stephen DeFilippis.

After his initial booking, Goularte was released on terms of bail, including GPS monitoring. Days later, Velasquez was arrested after he allegedly followed Goularte and Goularte’s family in a high-speed chase in broad daylight as he discharged a firearm. Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, was allegedly struck in the arm and suffered a debilitating injury.

Out on bail since November, Velasquez has pleaded not guilty as he faces a handful of charges, including attempted murder. Velasquez is due back in court Thursday for a trial setting date of his own.