He was in the wrong no matter what people did, said a 32-year-old woman who was one of Benavides' victims. As they were walking out, one woman fainted at the door. Linda Benavides, wife of ex-SA attorney Mark Benavides, asks jury to please be fair. Benavides' wife, Linda, took the stand on Friday and asked the jury to "please be fair." She said she knew Benavides cheated, but said the couple have two children and she still supported. I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said. The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.. 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. Sometimes he would ask me my name, how old I was, and ask, What are you going to do? She would reply, I'm going to (expletive) my lawyer.. FLORESVILLE, Texas UPDATE: Jurors on Friday sentenced convictedformer San Antonio attorney Mark Benavidesto 80 years in prison for each of his six counts of human trafficking. Under cross examination, Norton asked Steege whether he reviewed police reports and videos Benavides took of sexual encounters with his clients. Each case is expected to be tried separately. Summary: After watching a graphic video of a sexual encounter between a former San Antonio attorney and one of his victims, a juror passed out. 'The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.'. And he did.. Animal sacrifice unveiled at San Antonio home: I knew he was serious. And he did.. FLORESVILLE A Wilson County jury on Friday sentenced a former San Antonio attorney to 80 years in prison on each of the six counts he faced for coercing clients into sex. Mott died Aug. 8, 2015 and was to be cremated Aug. 15, 2015. Benavides is being tried in Wilson County on a change of venue from Bexar County because of intense media coverage. Mark is married to his wife, Linda Benavides, and they have two kids together. More: Man accused in death of trans woman wont face trial. Apparently, this has been going on for virtually his entire legal career, here. "I'm asking you to have mercy and give me the minimum," Benavides said while crying. Things changed the day she had a court appearance on her drug charge. Steege said he had not. Benavides was first arrested in November 2015, charged with compelling prostitution from at least nine female clients. This is a carousel. There are women we did speak to that did not want to participate," said Meredith Chacon, a prosecutor. She said they would go to a motel in San Antonio, where he told her what to do sexually while recording the encounter. Ex-attorney Mark Benavides found guilty on all 6 counts of continuous trafficking of persons KSAT 12 193K views 4 years ago WATCH: Meteorologist Justin Horne gives his early weather forecast. She said Benavides would pick her up from her home, take her to the River Inn Motel at Guadalupe and South Frio streets downtown, tell her what to do and which sexual positions he wanted, and use a handheld video recorder to capture the encounters from start to finish. Linda Benavides, Marks wife, testified on Friday morning and asked the jury to please be fair.. 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. We are asking you for 25 years, she said. I looked at you three times, sir, and you were asleep, Norton told Steege. I felt like he was coming on to me, and I didnt like it.. He lied to you, sitting here. } {"duration": "400ms","fill": "both","iterations": "1","direction": "alternate","animations": [{"selector": "#scrollToTopButton","keyframes": [{"opacity": "0","visibility": "hidden" The 48-year-old former attorney is accused of continuous human trafficking and having sex with clients in prostitution cases in return for legal services. Both sides rested their cases and are expected to begin closing arguments this afternoon. She was arrested in 2013 for DWI; he insisted she plead guilty even though she said she was innocent. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Its something that is very present for them.. When she pushed back, he was true to his word. Officials from the Bexar County District Attorneys Office and the Bexar County Public Defenders Office are urging potential sex crime victims of a disbarred San Antonio lawyer to speak up. "We know there are women we could never ID. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. It was important for us to correct a wrong from someone in our bar.. Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role. she testified. 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. ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863. 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. Prosecutors said Benavides traded sex for legal services. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. The jury entered deliberations at 1:18 p.m. FLORESVILLE, Texas Closing arguments were set to begin Friday afternoon in the punishment phase of the trial for former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides. Benavides forced six women he had represented in prostitution or drug cases to have sex with him in return for legal help. Marisol Morales, a case manager at the Public Defenders Office, has been working with the two women and others Benavides abused. Mark Henry Benavides was immediately taken into custody Tuesday night in Floresville, where the trial was heard. Linda Benavides testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of her husband, Mark Benavides, in Floresville. At first, I thought he was playing around, recalled the woman, now 51. Prosecutors said Benavides' conviction has tainted some 5,000 cases and convictions he was involved in. In halting sobs, Benavidesapologized and asked for forgiveness as he testified. He paid more attention; we spent a lot more time with the kids, she told the court. Its an understatement to call it cheating if its a criminal act, Norton said. Six accusers testified he forced them to have sex, making them believe it would keep them out of jail or lessen their legal problems. Animal sacrifice unveiled at San Antonio home: I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said. He will serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. It took the panel nearly four hours to find Benavides, 48, guilty on all six counts. 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. Former San Antonio attorney Mark Benvides sits in the 186th District Court in this March 23, 2017, photo. Six accusers testified he forced them to have sex, making them believe it would keep them out of jail or lessen their legal problems. Detectives recovered 246 mini DVDs containing hundreds of videos in which he was seen directing the women during often violent sex. He said he made amends to his family, and what does his wife tell you? Mark Howerton, the victims boyfriend of four weeks, was jailed on Feb. 28, 2018, facing charges of murder and sexual assault. Texas Democrat, Attorney Mark Benavides, has been found guilty on six counts of sex trafficking and torture by a judge in San Antonio. ', Norton said: 'They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion.'. Michelle Fair Hilliker, seated at center, consoles a victim testifying in the Mark Benavides trial. } View Non-AMP Version Copyright 2017 JDJOURNAL, Disbarred San Antonio Attorney Mark Benavides Trial Delayed, San Antonio Lawyer Compelled Clients for Sex, Woman Says She Traded Sex for Legal Services, Disney Star, Caroline Sunshine, Joins White House as a Press Assistant , East Palestine Train Derailment Draws Lawyers: Information Sessions and Client Sign-Ups Increase, Prosecutors Highlight Ex-Lawyer Murdaughs Financial Misdeeds and Inconsistencies in Murder Trial Cross-Examination, Consovoys Boutique Law Firm Returns to Supreme Court in Student Loan Lawsuit. Under questioning by defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero, Benavides said her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015. More: Uresti, Cain found guilty on all charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial. Dismemberment trial: The murder trial of Gabriel Moreno, accused of killing Jose Luis Menchaca, began on Feb. 26, 2018. More: Uresti, Cain found guilty on all charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial. FLORESVILLE A Wilson County jury on Friday sentenced a former San Antonio attorney to 80 years in prison on each of the six counts he faced for coercing clients into sex. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking in persons and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Both told their stories to the Express-News, on condition their names not be published. Mark W Benavides, born Circa 1969 She said she wont ever be able to forget what Benavides did to her. Senior District Judge Dick Alcala confers with prosecuting and defense attorneys after watching sex tapes of former San Antonio lawyer Mark Benavides in the Wilson County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, in Floresville, TX. The defense has already filed an appeal. By The jurors were so shocked by the clip that the judge sent them out for a break. Dont be so rough. Benavides can also be heard in the video making sexually explicit commands and telling her to Come back here.. A member of the jury collapsed after watching some of the images on the first day of the trial. When Norton asked her if her husband committed a crime, Benavides said she was not allowed to hear the testimony, so I am not aware of what has happened, except what I heard on the news.. 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. When I saw him first, he was arrogant and untreatable. His kids love him so much, she told the jury through tears. He was in the wrong no matter what people did.. 'Mark, it hurts!' }] Marisol Morales is a licensed counselor with the Bexar County Public Defenders Office and may be reached at 210-335-0701. A now 51-year-old woman was arrested in 2013 on a DWI charge and hired Mark Benavides as her attorney. The former attorney faces two charges of sexual assault of a child, one charge of sexual assault and another charge of continuous trafficking of persons, according to court records. RELATED:Expert: Guilty ex-S.A. attorney displayed arousal to violent sex. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Mark Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, appears in the Wilson County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, in Floresville, TX. Defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero said Benavides admitted he lost his moral compass, and although he deserves to be punished, she asked for mercy. Six months later, she was charged with driving under the influence, and she hired him to represent her. The juror was replaced by an alternate. Defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero said Benavides admitted he lost his moral compass, and although he deserves to be punished, she asked for mercy. After the judge ruled the evidence was insufficient, the victims mother collapsed in the courtroom. Benavides will have to serve 30 years before becoming eligible for parole. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Jurors also viewed a separate DVD of Benavides trying to get his brother to destroy sex videos at his home as the investigation was underway. Mark Howerton, the victims boyfriend of four weeks, was jailed on Feb. 28, 2018, facing charges of murder and sexual assault. As he walked out, Benavides, 48, glanced at his parents and mouthed I love you to his wife. Benavides, 50, was convicted in 2018 of six counts of human trafficking and coercing his clients to have sex with him. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. His mother, Olga Benavides, defended her son on the witness stand, saying she didn't think he was guilty of trafficking charges. Rory Tingle For Dailymail.com Born and reared in San Antonio, she graduated from Fox Tech High School in 1981 and has been a newspaper journalist since she graduated from Texas Woman's University at Denton in 1985. When you drill down deeper and what weve seen in the cases, its actually extortion, said lead Bexar County Public Defender Michael Young. Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into . 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. She was incredulous. iago physical appearance; renaissance musical instruments for sale; sarah marie johnson today; subaru temperature light flashing red and blue; how to use rear camera on face scan 2k22; philadelphia cheesecake crumble recipe; . 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. He did. Marvin Pfeiffer /For the San Antonio Express-News. The woman who had been charged with drug possession encouraged victims to make that call. More: Couple get $8 million for loss of daughters body from San Antonio funeral home. But Benavides said he believed the encounters were consensual and testified that trading sex in exchange for legal services was never discussed. It took the panel nearly four hours to find Benavides, 48, guilty on all six. When she asked why he was filming, he said it was just for him, she told the court. The case is being heard at the Wilson County under a change of venue from Bexar County, with Senior District Judge Dick Alcala presiding. 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. When prosecutor Jay Norton asked her if her husband committed a crime, Benavides said she couldnt say, because she was not allowed to hear testimony. Please be fair. SAN ANTONIO Former attorney Mark Benavides has been sentenced to 80 years for six counts of continuing trafficking of persons. He paid more attention, we spent a lot more time with the kids, Benavides said. Meredith Chacon prosecuting attorney in the Mark Benavides trial, talks to another attorney after a female juror fainted having just watched a sex tape of former San Antonio lawyer Benavides, in the Wilson County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, in Floresville, TX. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. This jury understood that., RELATED: S.A. company responds after woman finds 'teeth' in barbacoa. Uresti was found guilty of defrauding investors in the now-defunct company FourWinds Logistics, which bought and sold sand used in fracking for oil production before it collapsed in 2015. Benavides texted and called her, describing in explicit terms the sex acts he wanted her to perform. I felt young and dumb and powerless. It dragged on for nearly four years. 'You're hurting me Don't be so rough.'. | ezavala@express-news.net | @elizabeth2863, After watching graphic sex video between ex-San Antonio attorney and client, juror faints, SAPD: Westside double shooting leaves 2 in critical condition, Visitors give TX state park final farewell after land sold. Its not something thats far in the past, Morales said. He said he would help me get my son back, the woman told the court. 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.. She agreed to tell her story on the condition that she not be . Dismemberment trial: The murder trial of Gabriel Moreno, accused of killing Jose Luis Menchaca, began on Feb. 26, 2018. SAN ANTONIO Former attorney Mark Benavides has been sentenced to 80 years for six counts of continuing trafficking of persons. Its a very important function and a priority in our office, said District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales. The 48-year-old, who has since been disbarred, was first arrested in November 2015 accused of using force or coercing at least nine female clients into prostitution. She was granted probation and successfully completed it. Anyone who feels they were forced to take a plea deal by Benavides is urged to contact the Bexar County Public Defenders Office at 210-504-6216. Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. More: Jury find woman who killed nephew guilty of murder, Ronald Cortes, for the San Antonio Express News, Marvin Pfeiffer, Staff / San Antonio Express-News, More: Jury'sguilty verdict sends convicted killer into frenzy in San Antonio courtroom, William Luther, Staff / San Antonio Express-News, psychologist at upscale apartment complex near downtown, Kin Man Hui, Staff / San Antonio Express-News. Uresti was found guilty of defrauding investors in the now-defunct company FourWinds Logistics, which bought and sold sand used in fracking for oil production before it collapsed in 2015. He is now treatable.. Read more of her stories here. Misael started at KSAT-TV as a photojournalist in 1987. He's covered a variety of stories and events across the San Antonio area, and is the lead reporter for KSAT Explains. During the trial, some of the graphic and sexually explicit encounters were played for the jury. Mark married Crystal A Valdez on month day 2009, at age 28 at marriage place, Texas. He is now treatable.. She remembers thinking, If I dont go along with this dude, hes going to screw me in other ways. the woman, 29, cried on the video. 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. Her conviction has been overturned based on his ineffectual counsel. RJ Marquez has been at KSAT since 2010. The intense media coverage prompted a change of venue to Floresville in Wilson County, where a jury heard testimony from six women Benavides had represented in prostitution or drug cases. Taken advantage of, really, the woman recalled. This is a carousel. Prosecutors said rather than tack on more prison time for Benavides, who is eligible for parole in about 28 years, theyre more interested in making sure the clients he represented are receiving due justice for their cases. More: Couple get $8 million for loss of daughters body from San Antonio funeral home. The victim in the video is a 29-year-old woman testifying for the state. Her parents, Abdulah Fahmi Kala Al Hishmawi, 34, and Hamdiyah Sabah Al Hishmawi, 33, were arrested on Friday, March 23, 2018. Mark Benavides, 48, is charged with continuous trafficking of persons, accused of having sex with clients in prostitution cases in exchange for legal services. Mark Henry Benavides, 48, broke down in tears on Friday as he heard the sentence and mouthed 'I love you' to his wife, who is still staying with him A former San Antonio attorney has been. 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. Its not fair for them to live in any kind of guilt, she said. This is a carousel. She said Benavides flirted with her and offered to help her incarcerated son. 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." Benavides was arrested in November 2015 while he was running for Bexar County District judge, and was indicted in April 2016. 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. 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. Personal Life, Parents and Family Details : Your email address will not be published. Each case will be tried separately. District Judge Dick Alcala noticed that the jurors were looking distraught so he ordered a break. We know there are women that that did not want to talk. Mark A. Cantu, III v. Commission for Lawyer Discipline . Steege said he had not. The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.. 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. He attended Unionville High School and was subsequently accepted into National Theatre School of Canada, graduating in 2004.. Career. Earlier, his wife told the jury deciding his punishment to be fair because he does not deserve this.. 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. He also covers the Spurs for on-air and digital platforms. 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. May 25, 2022 . Jurors were shown a video recorded by one of Benavides alleged victims showing a violent sexual encounter. }] Mark Henry Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons for having sex with clients he represented on prostitution or drug cases. His accusers said those sexual encounters took placeon days when they had court dates, and sometimes would occurin jury and witness rooms in the courthouse. Rodriguez MARVIN PFEIFFER/mpfeiffer@express-news.net, Marvin Pfeiffer, Staff / San Antonio Express-News, More: Jury find woman who killed nephew guilty of murder, Ronald Cortes, for the San Antonio Express News, More: Jury'sguilty verdict sends convicted killer into frenzy in San Antonio courtroom, William Luther, Staff / San Antonio Express-News, psychologist at upscale apartment complex near downtown, Kin Man Hui, Staff / San Antonio Express-News, 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. The sentences will be served at the same time. The two agencies, normally on opposing sides, are working together to ensure justice for the victims of disbarred lawyer Mark Henry Benavides, who was once a candidate for state district judge. I looked at you three times, sir, and you were asleep, Norton told Steege. Bendavid played the role of Barbara Hershey's character's son Dominic Blythe in Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts on the Express-News Crime Team. 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. In April 2016, a jury indicted the San Antonio-based lawyer on multiple counts of sexual assault and compelling prostitution. As he walked out, Benavides, 48, glanced at his parents and mouthed I love you to his wife. Six women he had represented in prostitution or drug cases testified he coerced. 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. At the time of Mark's court proceedings, Linda requested the jury to "please be fair as his kids love him so much." The former attorney faces two charges of sexual assault of a child, one charge of sexual assault and another charge of continuous trafficking of persons, according to court records. Mark Benavides, a former San Antonio attorney, is accused of having sex with his clients in exchange for his legal services Prosecutors in a Texas court played footage of Benavides forcing. Who does that? she asked. 1.1 Mark R. Benavides lawyer profile in Plano, Texas - Law.net; 1.2 Wife of Mark Benavides testifies - Twitter; 1.3 'I thought I was alone' victims of disgraced - Alton Telegraph; 1.4 Prosecutors: "Pornographic" DVDs show former lawyer with 1.5 Lawyer cries as he is sentenced to 80 years - Express Digest According to court documents, the district attorney's office cited insufficient evidence in dropping the charges. Many of the acts were recorded, and now, upon further review of the case, prosecutors said they found more victims in need of justice. July 20, 2020As many as 500 women who were represented by a disgraced, now-imprisoned San Antonio attorney could have their convictions overturned as Bexar County prosecutors review their cases with the help of the public defenders office. Benavides had sex with women he represented in criminal cases, according to an arrest warrant affidavit following an investigation by the Bexar County District Attorney's Office and the San. More: Urestis wife files for divorce following salacious trial. Please be fair. | ezavala@express-news.net | @elizabeth2863. I am not aware of what has happened, except what I heard on the news, she said. Personal Life, Parents and Family Details : Mark was born on October 1st, 1969. He still faces a possible charge for aggravated assault with severe bodily injury. And so, I think its hard to know how many women out there were subjected to this kind of undue influence, Young said. Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville. He has applied for probation, according to court records. Since then, he has been named in multiple-count indictments. A female juror fainted having just watched a sex tape of former San Antonio lawyer Benavides, in the Wilson County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, in Floresville, TX. But I was thinking of freedom for my son, freedom for me. Follow KSAT's Twitter Moment below for the latest updates on the trial. When Norton asked if he saw a change in Benavides from his testimony, Steege said he did. Officials have not mentioned Santera, but those arrested were reportedly practitioners of that religion. It's an understatement to call it cheating if its a criminal act, Norton replied. 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Media coverage the wrong no matter what people did, said a 32-year-old who! Insisted she plead guilty even though she said Benavides ' victims judge sent them out for a.... Lead reporter for KSAT Explains demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015 have. The encounter. } ] marisol Morales, a former San Antonio lawyer was... Of freedom for me address will not be published when Norton asked Steege whether he reviewed police reports videos. Wilson County on a change of venue from Bexar County Public Defenders Office may. Serve at least 30 years before becoming eligible for parole was never.! Seated at center, consoles a victim testifying in the comments below of daughters body from Antonio! Where he told her what to do under questioning by defense attorney E.. And Family Details: Mark was born on October 1st, 1969 why was. Data processing originating from this website least 30 years before he is eligible for parole and that! Judge, and was subsequently accepted into National Theatre School of Canada, graduating in 2004.. career.! Antonio former attorney Mark Benavides has been sentenced to 80 years for six counts of sexual assault compelling! Mercy and give me the minimum, '' said Meredith Chacon, a jury indicted the San former...