They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion, Norton said. Linda Benavides testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of her husband, Mark Benavides, in Floresville. Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News. Mark Benavides, 48, is charged with continuous trafficking of persons, accused of having sex with clients in prostitution cases in exchange for legal services. Copyright 2018 by KSAT - All rights reserved. I felt young and dumb and powerless. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Mark Benavides (center) confers with defense attornies Monica E. Guerrero (right) and Liza Rodriguez (left) during his trial in the Wilson County District Court and Justice Center in Floresville on Thursday. She later was excused and an alternate was seated. He still faces a possible charge for aggravated assault with severe bodily injury. He said he knew police and judges and I didnt know who to try to ask for help, she said. To read more from Elizabeth, become a subscriber. He did. Mark Benavides (left) sits beside defense attorney Liza Rodriguez during his trial in the Wilson County District Court and Justice Center in Floresville on Thursday. Please be fair. Linda Benavides, who is the wife of Mark Benavides, receives his belt and necktie Friday from a sheriffs deputy after he was sentenced to 80 years as punishment after being convicted for continuous trafficking of persons. Due to the large amounts of publicity surrounding the case, the trial was moved from Bexar County to Wilson County. Before the state and defense rested their cases, Linda Benavides told the jury Friday morning that although he was unfaithful, she didnt leave her husband of nearly 11 years after his arrest because she supports him. Just this month, Benavides was indicted again for continuous trafficking of persons in connection with alleged incidents with four of the women from 2012 to 2015. Don't be so rough, as Benavides made sexually explicit commands and repeatedly told her, Come back here, as the woman sobbed. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Uresti divorce: A week after state Sen. Carlos Urestis conviction in a salacious trial that included vivid testimony about him carrying on an extramarital relationship, his wife filed for divorce. It was important for us to correct a wrong from someone in our bar.. She said she knew Benavides cheated, but said the couple have two children and she still supported him. Defense expert Mark Steege, a sex therapist who testified he has treated hundreds of sex offenders in 35 years, said he evaluated Benavides in April 2017. Steege said he had not. Benavides filmed videos of the violent sexual encounters, one of which was so graphic that a female juror fainted after viewing it in court. He faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. He eventually started asking me for small stuff, meet up for lunch, stuff like that, the woman said. The trial against former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides began Tuesday with a graphic start. Cayley Mandadi, a Trinity University cheerleader, died on Oct. 31, 2017 after falling unconscious in a car traveling to Houston. "I'm asking you to have mercy and give me the minimum," Benavides said while crying. Benavides admitted that he had sex with all of the women named in the indictment and recorded their motel sexual sessions. Benavides was found guilty Tuesday on six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. She said she wont ever be able to forget what Benavides did to her. Since then, the Conviction Integrity Unit reviewed evidence in the case and identified more than 50 women he represented and whose cases may have been tainted. She said Benavides flirted with her and offered to help her incarcerated son. 'You're hurting me Don't be so rough.'. Jurors were shown a video recorded by one of Benavides alleged victims showing a violent sexual encounter. Uresti divorce: A week after state Sen. Carlos Urestis conviction in a salacious trial that included vivid testimony about him carrying on an extramarital relationship, his wife filed for divorce. He did. The second victim whose record has been expunged met Benavides when she was at the Bexar County Courthouse with her son, who was facing an assault charge. Dismemberment trial: The murder trial of Gabriel Moreno, accused of killing Jose Luis Menchaca, began on Feb. 26, 2018. Benavides is facing a minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum of life in prison on each count. Benavides is accused of having sex with his clients in exchange for legal services. A former San Antonio attorney has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for forcing his clients to have sex with him in return for legal services. Benavides gave her his card. In this2018 file photo he sits in Judge Dick Alcalas courtroom to address his other pending. This is a carousel. Prosecutors proved that Benavides made women he was representing for alleged crimes, including DUI, minor drug offenses and prostitution, to have sex with him in exchange for legal services. The victim in the video is a 29-year-old woman testifying for the state. He is a calculating and manipulating liar, she told the jury. On Tuesday, prosecutors in a Texas court played footage of Benavides forcing one such client to have anal sex with him, KSAT reported. The women said the alleged encounters took place at his law office, motels, his car and the courthouse, according to the affidavit. But he's a good person. The case was later dismissed for a lack of evidence and Elkhaliny was set to be released from county jail without having to pay bail. He said he made amends to his family, and what does his wife tell you? It took the panel about six hours to decide on the sentences for the six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. Cruz, Abbott and others react to Castro's cancer diagnosis, Rep. Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, undergoes surgery, San Antonio's first car elevator is ready to start accepting cars, Buc-ees planning new travel centers in Wisconsin, Florida. On ExpressNews.com: Four pending sex cases against convicted ex-San Antonio attorney dismissed. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville. She told jurors Feb. 1, 2018, that she and Uresti would have sex in his law office. Defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero said Benavides admitted he lost his moral compass, and although he deserves to be punished, she asked for mercy. The evidence against Benavides included portions of 246 videos the lawyer recorded of himself having sex with his clients. Michelle Fair Hilliker, seated at center, consoles a victim testifying in the Mark Benavides trial. Before Benavides was taken away, the judge increased his bail to $150,000 on each of the remaining four cases pending against him. Mark Benavides looks back at his wife and parents Friday as he is escorted out of the courtroom after being sentenced to 80 years for continuous trafficking of persons. Taken advantage of, really, the woman recalled. But I was thinking of freedom for my son, freedom for me. Six women he had represented in prostitution or drug cases testified he coerced. 'He cheated. By He wanted to meet up.. Each case will be tried separately. Texas chain with San Antonio bakeries files for bankruptcy, How a viral chicken fried steak briefly closed down Mr. Juicy, Puerto Rican restaurant finds new life in former Rosario's spot, Report: San Antonio Rep. Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, 'Spreading the love': Buc-ee's begins plans for world domination, Massive pirate-themed San Antonio park delays opening date, TX DPS duped into shipping at least 3,000 Texas drivers license, Spoon, Billy Currington, and more set for New Braunfels shows, Jury deadlocks in murder case involving San Antonio man whose remains were grilled, San Antonio woman gunned down by estranged, Details emerge in murder-suicide involving, Suspect in death of Trinity University cheerleader arrested on charges of murder, sexual assault, S.A. teen who refused arranged marriage suffered 6 months of beatings, search warrant shows. What I saw yesterday (in Benavides testimony) was a totally different man. RJ Marquez has been at KSAT since 2010. I felt young and dumb and powerless. "" 11-23; 09-29; 09-29; 2021 09-17 "" . It took the panel nearly four hours to find Benavides, 48, guilty on all six counts. She couldnt afford another attorney she was afraid to hire one anyway and she remembers thinking to herself, If I dont go along with this dude, hes going to screw me in other ways. It was a case that rattled San Antonio. Salacious Uresti testimony: Denise Cantu, a Harlingen woman whom Uresti helped obtain a $2.5 million legal settlement over the deaths of two of her children in a 2010 vehicle wreck, told jurors that the lawmaker became her financial adviser, confidante, friend and eventually lover. Each case is expected to be tried separately. Jurors were shown a video recorded by one of Benavides alleged victims showing a violent sexual . While questioning the woman under cross-examination, defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero tried to suggest that their interactions remained friendly after his initial arrest. So far, two women represented by Benavides have had their convictions overturned and their records expunged. Benavides told her she had to plead guilty to stay out of prison. SAN ANTONIO - Though former attorney Mark Benavides is serving an 80-year prison term for trading his legal services for sex, his case is still under review by the Bexar County District. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Linda Benavides (front), who is the wife of Mark Benavides, and his mother, Olga Benavides, are emotional after he was given 80 years after being convicted for continuous trafficking of persons on Friday. Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Mark Benavides is currently serving an 80-year prison term after he was convicted in 2018 of trading sex for legal services from women he was representing. Read more of her stories here. Mark Benavides (center) confers with defense attornies Monica E. Guerrero (right) and Liza Rodriguez (left) during his trial in the Wilson County District Court and Justice Center in Floresville on Thursday. Benavides' wife of 11 years, Linda, appeared at the trial's sentencing phase to urge the jury to 'please be fair' as she announced she was staying with him, reported Express News. Mark Henry Benavides was immediately taken into custody Tuesday night in Floresville, where the trial was heard. Benavides will serve 80 years for each count but the time will. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Hearst Communications Inc. I thought I was alone victims of disgraced San Antonio lawyer Mark Henry Benavides get a second chance, (Josie Norris /Staff Photographer | Express-News), Photo: Billy Calzada /San Antonio Express-News, (Josie Norris, The San Antonio Express-News / Staff Photographer | Express-News), Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into having sex, Four pending sex cases against convicted ex-San Antonio attorney dismissed, Jury being picked to hear S.A. ex-lawyers sex case. Its something that is very present for them.. He cheated. The sexual encounters would take place in his law office, his car, at motels, or at the courthouse. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Lleanna Uresti cited adultery among the reasons for seeking to end the couples nearly six-year union, according to the petition filed March 2, 2018. ', Norton said: 'They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion.'. He said he made amends to his family, and what does his wife tell you? Prosecutor Michelle Chacon questioned the victim, who explained that she had sex with Benavides in July 2014 for her bond on the day he became her court-appointed attorney. Mark Benavides (right) and defense attorney Liza Rodriguez are in court Thursday during the punishment phase of his trial in Wilson County District Court and Justice Center in Floresville. Earlier, his wife told the jury deciding his punishment to be fair because he does not deserve this.. On ExpressNews.com: Jury being picked to hear S.A. ex-lawyers sex case. Marisol Morales is a licensed counselor with the Bexar County Public Defenders Office and may be reached at 210-335-0701. Both told their stories to the Express-News, on condition their names not be published. When I saw him first, he was arrogant and untreatable. More: Urestis alleged ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business partner. His kids love him so much, she told the jury through tears. There are women we did speak to that did not want to participate," said Meredith Chacon, a prosecutor. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Someof the graphic and sexually explicit videos were played for jurors. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Mark is married to his wife, Linda Benavides, and they have two kids together. The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.. (Josie Norris /Staff Photographer |. So, I did.. He wouldnt help me for anything, she said. Former attorney Mark Benavides was in court Thursday for a pretrial hearing. Even though her record has been expunged, shes still trying to get her drivers license back and pay off fines and fees associated with the original charge. }] Cop killer trial: Shaun Puente was found guilty on March 21, 2018 for fatally shooting San Antonio Police Department Officer Robert Deckard during a highway chase in Atascosa County on Dec. 8, 2013 that started after Puente, according to witnesses, committed two armed robberies in San Antonio. Lopez was found guilty of the murder by the jury on June 5, 2018 and struggled against deputies moments after being convicted of the 2014 killing of Menchaca. Benavides texted and called her, describing in explicit terms the sex acts he wanted her to perform. attorney mark benavides wife. Man cleared in River Walk death: A judge issued a ruling Thursday, March 8, 2018, that prevented a manslaughter trial of Mark Daniel Lewis (left), accused of causing transgender woman Kenne McFadden to drown along the River Walk last year. FLORESVILLE, Texas Closing arguments were set to begin Friday afternoon in the punishment phase of the trial for former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides. The sentences will be served at the same time. I looked at you three times, sir, and you were asleep, Norton told Steege. I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said. Steege said he had not. "I'm so sorry. At first, Benavides would text or call her when he was lonely or bored, she said. At the end, she said, he would ask her to say bye to the camera. Benavides is being tried in Wilson County on a change of venue from Bexar County because of intense media coverage. Required fields are marked *. Julie Mott trail: A jury awarded Sharlotte and Timothy Mott $8 million on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 after they found Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemeteries negligent in the loss of their daughters body. She hired attorney Mark Benavides, who she said began demanding sex, threatening that if she didn't "play with him" he would ensure she and her son, who had an unrelated case in another court, would be send to prison. More: Death penalty testimony paints violent portrait of officers killer. The women state they employed Benavides as their lawyer for their prostitution cases but that he would coerce them into having sex in exchange for their legal problems being lessened, including dismissal of their cases. Benavides is being tried in. According to court documents, the district attorney's office cited insufficient evidence in dropping the charges. At first, I thought he was playing around, recalled the woman, now 51. The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.. Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into having sex, Author says stakes are high in Alamo makeover project. This is a carousel. Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. The case was later dismissed for a lack of evidence and Elkhaliny was set to be released from county jail without having to pay bail. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking in persons and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. As he walked out, Benavides, 48, glanced at his parents and mouthed I love you to his wife. We are asking you for 25 years, she said. He also covers the Spurs for on-air and digital platforms. When she pushed back, he was true to his word. The jury entered deliberations at 1:18 p.m. 'The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.'. RELATED:Expert: Guilty ex-S.A. attorney displayed arousal to violent sex. Public Defender Michael Young is working with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office Conviction Integrity Unit to review hundreds of Benavides cases with an eye toward overturning unfair convictions. Man cleared in River Walk death: A judge issued a ruling Thursday, March 8, 2018, that prevented a manslaughter trial of Mark Daniel Lewis (left), accused of causing transgender woman Kenne McFadden to drown along the River Walk last year. I am not aware of what has happened, except what I heard on the news, she said. S.A. animal sacrifice was Santera practice, but was it illegal? Fundraiser honors San Marcos child who was struck, killed CPS Energy sells circular Villita Assembly Building. Benavides forced six women he had represented in prostitution or drug cases to have sex with him in return for legal help. Mark Henry Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons for having sex with clients he represented on prostitution or drug cases. Benavides was arrested in November 2015 while he was running for Bexar County District judge, and was indicted in April 2016. Linda Benavides said that although he was unfaithful, she didn't leave her husband of nearly 11 years after his arrest because she supports him. She has been excused from the trial and an alternate was put in her place. Mark Benavides Mechanical Engineer at Consulting Engineering Services San Antonio, Texas, United States 233 followers 232 connections Join to connect Consulting Engineering Services (CES) Texas. juror fainted as the panel left the courtroom last week. Benavides still faces two charges of sexual assault of a child, a charge of sexual assault and another charge of continuous trafficking of persons. Calling him a master manipulator and liar, prosecutors had asked the jury to send Benavides to life in prison for having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. But he's a good person. Benavides will serve 80 years for each count but the time will. He was in the wrong no matter what people did, said a 32-year-old woman who was one of Benavides' victims. He's covered a variety of stories and events across the San Antonio area, and is the lead reporter for KSAT Explains. In her closing argument, defense attorney Liza Rodriguez said Benavides is not the person jurors saw only in the snippets of video the state put together for them to watch. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. She said she rejected his advances and later lost her license, her car, job and apartment. The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.. The video caused one juror to faint, according to the Express News. She said Benavides told her to say 'bye' to the camera after they finished. And he did.. Six women he had represented in prostitution or drug cases testified he coerced them into having sex to keep them out of jail or lessen their legal troubles, and videotaped the encounters, which were shown to the jury. Their testimony established a pattern Benavides would pick them up from their homes or from jail, then take them to a hotel or a meeting room behind the courtroom to have sex. Benavides will have to serve 30 years before becoming eligible for parole. Calling him a master manipulator and liar, prosecutors had asked the jury to send Benavides to life in prison for having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. She claims he would pick her up at her home and take her to the River Inn Motel downtown on Guadalupe and South Frio streets. She agreed to tell her story on the condition that she not be . He would require her to say bye at the end to the camera. When Norton asked if he saw a change in Benavides from his testimony, Steege said he did. She was arrested in 2013 for DWI; he insisted she plead guilty even though she said she was innocent. She has worked at five daily newspapers in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle. A witness described the crime scene as a "horror move" in testimony. The woman said a friend referred her to Benavides in 2008 for legal representation. He has applied for probation, according to court records. Rory Tingle For Dailymail.com Please be fair. Benavides is accused of having sex with his clients in exchange for legal services. San Antonio defense attorney Mark Benavides was running for a local judge's seat in 2015 when he was arrested and charged with coercing women to have sex with him as "payment" for his legal services. Benavideswill get credit for the days he has already served. Lopez was found guilty of the murder by the jury on June 5, 2018 and struggled against deputies moments after being convicted of the 2014 killing of Menchaca. 'To me, it's cheating,' Benavides replied. Reyes survived for two weeks before being pronounced dead. One of thevideos was so graphic that a female juror fainted as the panel left the courtroom last week. More: Uresti, Cain found guilty on all charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial. AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new. Hes a lawyer running for judge!, She remembers him saying, If you arent going to play the way I want you to play with me, Im not going to help you.. I thought I was alone. When questioned by prosecutor Jay Norton about whether she thought her husband had committed a crime she replied: 'I am not aware of what has happened, except what I heard on the news. In halting sobs, Benavidesapologized and asked for forgiveness as he testified. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Manage Settings Double murder-suicide:Hailey Reyes and her father (left) were gunned down by her estranged uncle, Elijah Jared Stone, on May 12 in an incident police called a "double murder-suicide." Shes pleased that the conviction is now off her record, thanks to the DAs and public defenders offices. Under direct questioning by prosecutor Meredith Chacon, the woman told the jury she had sex with Benavides the day he became her court-appointed attorney around July 2014, for her bond. What I saw yesterday (Benavides testimony), was a totally different man. The victim identified Benavides as the man and also identified him in photographs by this tattoos, which are Asian writings on each of his forearms and a large image of the scales of justice down his back. | ezavala@express-news.net | @elizabeth2863, Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into having sex, Man dies following hit-and-run on San Antonio's Westside, Canyon Lake animal shelter faces claims of neglect, abuse. As the jurors were exiting the courtroom, one juror fainted. She said they would go to a motel in San Antonio, where he told her what to do sexually while recording the encounter. Her testimony came a day after Benavides took the stand. After the judge ruled the evidence was insufficient, the victims mother collapsed in the courtroom. Ex-SA lawyer's mother defends convicted son on witness stand. Former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides is serving 80 years in prison for forcing former clients into having sex. Bendavid played the role of Barbara Hershey's character's son Dominic Blythe in Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning. Jurors on Friday afternoon are deliberating the fate of former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides. She had never been in trouble before and had no drugs on her person, but that arrest triggered a terrifying string of events that still affects her today. This is human trafficking, Chacon said. Boshoy Mina Elkhaliny, was arrested on Jan. 8, 2018 for allegedly beating, raping and holding Kaila Kutzik captive for days. Early life. Cop killer trial: Shaun Puente was found guilty on March 21, 2018 for fatally shooting San Antonio Police Department Officer Robert Deckard during a highway chase in Atascosa County on Dec. 8, 2013 that started after Puente, according to witnesses, committed two armed robberies in San Antonio. He cheated. She was 20 when she found herself facing possible prison time. Its worth life, ladies and gentlemen, Chacon said in her closing argument. Detectives recovered 246 mini DVDs containing hundreds of videos in which he was seen directing the women during often violent sex. This was someone within our legal community, Dahlberg said. He faces two charges of sexual assault of a child, one charge of sexual assault and two charges of continuous trafficking of persons, according to court records. W&P Porter bowl review: A container that makes office 10 beach essentials to pack for a spring break vacation, HOKA dropped a brand new version of their most popular shoe, You can still overpack the smaller Monos check-in suitcase. More: S.A. animal sacrifice was Santera practice, but was it illegal? Animal sacrifice unveiled at San Antonio home: He took me to a small room down a back hallway, and at that point he told me if I didnt perform a sexual act on him right then and there, he would not only kill my case, but try to worsen my case, she said, her voice trembling, even 12 years later. Investigators seized 246 mini DVDs that contained hundreds of videos of Benavides and the former clients engaged in various sex acts, in which he could be heard directing the women and telling them what to do and say. He paid more attention; we spent a lot more time with the kids, she told the court. Benavides admission of the DVDs' existencewas recorded at police headquarters in November 2015, when detectives interviewed him.

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