Note: The Silva hearing begins at around 2 hours and 18 minutes. Here's a direct link to watch it on YouTube.
Thiago Silva went before a judge in Florida today facing charges of Aggravated Battery and Attempted Murder. The judge dismissed the attempted murder charge but held Silva without bond as a flight risk and a menace to his wife and the community on the battery charges.
Here are BE's live tweets from the hearing:
Silva's defense is trying to deny that it was Attempted Murder, saying the elements are not there for that charge.
Prosecution is arguing that presence of witnesses is only thing that stopped Silva shooting his wife.
"The court does not believe at this time that there is enough to support a charge of attempted murder in the affidavit."
There is probable cause for aggravated assault with a fire arm.
Prosecutors are worried Silva is a flight risk and will attempt to leave the country.
"Brazil has made changes to its constitution that it will not extradite its citizens."
Judge: "(Flight risk) is a legitimate concern but why couldn't a substantial bond prevent Mr. Silva from..."
"My understanding is that Silva does have financial resources and no ties to the (FL) community."
Silva's lawyer concedes this is "a more serious assault than usual" and would understand house arrest but denies he's a flight arrest.
Silva's lawyer says if he wins his next UFC bout he'll make between $70K - $140K with potential bonuses.
Judge says Silva could easily kill his wife with or without a weapon.
Court: "This looks like ongoing domestic violence."
Court is greatly concerned that if Silva is released that he would confront his wife again and "bring great harm to her" or "kill her."
Judge is reciting threatening text messages from Silva to his wife including threat to hire a hit man to kill her.
Judge sets Silva's bond at $2.5mil but won't let him post bond because he is a flight risk.
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