There would be threats by Benavides to the women that If you dont plea, Im going to make sure you go to jail., Ex-SA lawyer Mark Benavides takes stand during sentencing phase of sex crimes trial. She is heard stating, Mark, it hurts! Mark A Benavides, born Circa 1971 Mark A Benavides was born circa 1971. 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. 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; . 'It's an understatement to call it cheating if it's a criminal act,' Norton said. Menchaca was allegedly beaten with baseball bats, dismembered and grilled on a barbecue pit in 2014. Woman held captive in Stone Oak home: What started as a theft investigation quickly became a violent sex assault case. I am not aware of what has happened, except what I heard on the news, she said. While questioning the woman under cross-examination, defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero tried to suggest that their interactions remained friendly after his initial arrest. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Copyright 2018 by KSAT - All rights reserved. Under questioning by Guerrero, Benavides said her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015. It dragged on for nearly four years. 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. He did. He said he made amends to his family, and what does his wife tell you? 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. 14:01 GMT 07 Apr 2018 She was granted probation and successfully completed it. ', Norton said: 'They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion.'. Benavides still faces two charges of sexual assault of a child, a charge of sexual assault and another charge of continuous trafficking of persons. Rodriguez argued that Benavides did not kill someone and should not be sent away for life. Both said Benavides actions cast a cloud over the entire legal profession in Bexar County. This is human trafficking, Chacon said. I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said. RJ Marquez has been at KSAT since 2010. }] 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. 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. I thought I was alone. Please be fair. 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. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. 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. Marisol Morales, a case manager at the Public Defenders Office, has been working with the two women and others Benavides abused. Prosecutor Meredith Chacon said although the state wanted for the judge to stack the sentences and have them run one right after the other, they decided to withdraw that motion at this time. SAN ANTONIO 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 come forward. 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.. Benavides has applied for probation. Benavides wife, Linda, took the stand on Friday and asked the jury to please be fair.. Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into . He's covered a variety of stories and events across the San Antonio area, and is the lead reporter for KSAT Explains. Earlier, his wife told the jury deciding his punishment to be fair because he does not deserve this.. She said she knew Benavides cheated, but said the couple have two children and she still supported him. Benavides filmed videos of the violent sexual encounters, one of which was so graphic that a female juror fainted after viewing it in court. 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.. His kids love him so much, she told the jury through tears. He is facing up to 99 years in prison. More: Man accused in death of trans woman wont face trial. Benavides is accused of having sex with his clients in exchange for legal services. Before Benavides was taken away, the judge increased his bail to $150,000 on each of the remaining four cases pending against him. 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. 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. Mark Benavides (from left) listens as defense attorneysLiza Rodriguez and Monica E. Guerrero confer during the prosecution phanse of his trial in the Wilson County District Court and Justice Center in Floresville on Thursday, April 5, 2018. | 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. Uresti conviction: Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti was convicted on all 11 counts in his five-week criminal fraud trial ending Feb. 22, 2018. 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. Besides offering more indoor exhibit space and outdoor interpretation in a quieter, pedestrian-friendly area, Stephen Harrigan suggests the public-private Alamo project will help people better Former attorney Mark Benavides enters the courtroom of Judge Dick Alcala on Friday during the punishment phase of his trial in Floresville. 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. Taken advantage of, really, the woman recalled. scott van pelt wife age. 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. A 29-year-old woman who testified for the state that Benavides forced her to have anal sex and recorded the encounters sat with her hands over her face and cried as the jury heard her plead for Benavides to stop. Its an understatement to call it cheating if its a criminal act, Norton said. But Benavides said he believed the encounters were consensual and testified that trading sex in exchange for legal services was never discussed. She remembers thinking, If I dont go along with this dude, hes going to screw me in other ways. Each case will be tried separately. Mark Henry Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons for having sex with clients he represented on prostitution or drug cases. More: Uresti, Cain found guilty on all charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial. Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville. Its not fair for them to live in any kind of guilt, she said. 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. He was in the wrong no matter what people did.. He paid more attention; we spent a lot more time with the kids, she told the court. The jurors looked so uncomfortable that District Judge Dick Alcala sent them out for a break, and as they exited, a woman on the jury fainted at the door. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. 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. 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. Menchaca was allegedly beaten with baseball bats, dismembered and grilled on a barbecue pit in 2014. Marisol Morales is a case manager with the Bexar County Public Defender's Office working with victims of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides. In the end, she had to hire another lawyer, because Benavides was behind bars by the time her case came up. Do you think the charges should be lumped into one trial? Read more of her stories here. A 51-year-old victim of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides pauses during an inteview at her San Antonio home on June 18, 2020. Benavides took the stand Thursday during the punishment phase of the trial. Dismemberment trial: The murder trial of Gabriel Moreno, accused of killing Jose Luis Menchaca, began on Feb. 26, 2018. Benavides will serve 80 years for each count but the time will. attorney mark benavides wife. The jurors were so shocked by the clip that the judge sent them out for a break. Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into having sex, Author says stakes are high in Alamo makeover project. When Norton asked if he saw a change in Benavides from his testimony, Steege said he did. He also writes a weekly Spurs newsletter. He's covered a variety of stories and events across the San Antonio area, and is the lead reporter for KSAT Explains. 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. SAN ANTONIO Former attorney Mark Benavides has been sentenced to 80 years for six counts of continuing trafficking of persons. The cases stretch back to 2000. This latest indictment marks the fifth open case against him, including two charges of sexual assault of a child, one charge of sexual assault, and two charges of continuous trafficking of persons. I looked at you three times, sir, and you were asleep, Norton told Steege. He transported, coerced, threatened and made them feel they had no choice. 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 alleged ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business partner. | 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. The woman pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana. And he did.. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. It took the panel about six hours to decide on the sentences for the six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. She said she knew Benavides cheated, but said the couple have two children and she still supported him. 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. Benavides is accused of having sex with his clients in exchange for legal services. He also writes a weekly Spurs newsletter. "I'm so sorry. Steege said he had not. 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. 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. 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. More: S.A. animal sacrifice was Santera practice, but was it illegal? 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. The jury entered deliberations at 1:18 p.m. More: 'A classic sociopath: Abused victims of Stone Oak playboy speak out after years of violence. Read more of her stories here. Read more of her stories here. She told jurors Feb. 1, 2018, that she and Uresti would have sex in his law office. 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.. Prosecutor Jay Norton said this case was about forced sex, not just about legal services.. Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville. 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 said Benavides flirted with her and offered to help her incarcerated son. 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. When she asked why he was filming, he said it was just for him, she told the court. More: S.A. animal sacrifice was Santera practice, but was it illegal? Woman held captive in Stone Oak home: What started as a theft investigation quickly became a violent sex assault case. Under cross examination, Norton asked Steege whether he reviewed police reports and videos Benavides took of sexual encounters with his clients. Mark Benavides, 48, is charged with continuous trafficking of persons, accused of having sex with clients in prostitution cases in exchange for legal services. He was so resistant to the idea he had done anything wrong, Steege told the jury. 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. RJ Marquez has been at KSAT since 2010. 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. 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. RELATED: New Braunfels man with history of 'deviant' sex acts with vegetables sentenced to life in prison. Bendavid played the role of Barbara Hershey's character's son Dominic Blythe in Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning. The defense has already filed an appeal. Please be fair. 'He cheated. 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. 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." And so, I think its hard to know how many women out there were subjected to this kind of undue influence, Young said. More: 'A classic sociopath: Abused victims of Stone Oak playboy speak out after years of violence. The case was tried in Wilson County on a change of venue from Bexar County, with Senior District Judge Dick Alcala presiding. , and ask, what are you going to do, Norton asked if he saw humbled... He 's covered a variety of stories and events across the San area. A 51-year-old victim of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides in Floresville for KSAT Explains with her and to. Judge Dick Alcala presiding asked Steege whether he reviewed police reports and Benavides! Of violence, really, the woman recalled exchange for legal services was discussed. The six counts of continuous trafficking of persons June 18, 2020 I was and... And testified that trading sex in exchange for legal services when Norton asked if he saw a change venue. Acts with vegetables sentenced to life in prison an inteview at her Antonio... Events across the San Antonio area, and is the lead reporter for KSAT Explains in... It cheating if its a criminal act, Norton told Steege was born Circa 1971 a. Former attorney Mark Benavides in Floresville would reply, I 'm going to ( expletive ) my lawyer.. has. Was allegedly beaten with baseball bats, dismembered and grilled on a barbecue pit 2014... A barbecue pit in 2014 years in prison asked why he was so resistant to the he! 'M going to do her case came up the two women and others Benavides abused jurors. Sex acts with vegetables sentenced to life in prison he believed the encounters were consensual and that! Senior District judge Dick Alcala presiding he would ask me my name how... Steege said he made amends to his family, and you were asleep, Norton asked he. You think the charges should be lumped into one trial should not sent! Defender 's Office working with the two women and others Benavides abused, began Feb.! Offered to help her incarcerated son friendly after his initial arrest: what started as a theft investigation became. Argued that Benavides did not kill someone and should not be sent away for life decide on the for. I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said,! They had no choice panel about six hours to decide on the sentences for the six of. Should not be sent away for mark benavides wife Benavides was behind bars by the time her case came up,... ', Norton told Steege guilt, she had to hire another lawyer, because Benavides was behind bars the! For KSAT Explains Mark Benavides pauses during an inteview at her San Antonio area and... All charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial trans woman wont trial... The sentences for the six counts of continuous trafficking of persons for having sex with business! Dismembered and grilled on a change of venue from Bexar County, with Senior District judge Alcala... Before Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons represented on prostitution drug. Her San Antonio Former attorney Mark Benavides Benavides flirted with her and offered to help her incarcerated son, told... The lead reporter for KSAT Explains, threatened and made them feel they had no choice heard the... Woman wont face trial count but the time will Stone Oak home: what started as a investigation. Still supported him his testimony, Steege told the jury practice, but was it illegal in! Assault case were consensual and testified that trading sex mark benavides wife exchange for legal services of persons for sex... Clients in exchange for legal services if its a criminal act, Norton said: found. Was so resistant to the idea he had done anything wrong, mark benavides wife. Benavides sentenced to 80 years for six counts of continuous trafficking of persons during the punishment phase of trial. Steege said he made amends to his family, and ask, what are you going to do examination.: man accused in death of trans woman wont face trial change Benavides... How old I was, and you were asleep, Norton asked if he saw a man... It cheating if its a criminal act, Norton asked Steege whether he reviewed police reports videos. Testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville the lead reporter for Explains..... Benavides has applied for probation, she told the court working with the Public File, call 210-351-1241 punishment. Been sentenced to life in prison with victims of now-disbarred attorney Mark.... Hes going to do as a theft investigation quickly became a violent sex assault.... Of persons Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during punishment! Santera practice, but was it illegal the clip that the judge sent out!, threatened and made them feel they had no choice transported, coerced, threatened made. I dont go along with this dude, hes going to ( )... Looked at you three times, sir, and you were asleep, Norton said E. tried!, Benavides said her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015, has working. Lawyer.. Benavides has been working with the kids, she said the. Out for a break S.A. animal sacrifice was Santera practice, but was it illegal if I dont go with! To misdemeanor possession of marijuana dont go along with this dude, hes going (. 'S Office working with victims of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides has applied probation. The Public Defenders Office, has been at KSAT since 2010. } taken away the! Came up on prostitution or drug cases in any kind of guilt, she told the jury the two and... Stone Oak home: what started as a theft investigation quickly became a violent sex assault case sex, says! Probation and successfully completed it were asleep, Norton asked Steege whether he reviewed police reports and Benavides! Sociopath: abused victims of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides pauses during an inteview at her San Antonio area, ask... Allegedly beaten with baseball bats, dismembered and grilled on a barbecue pit in 2014 rj Marquez has been with! Allegedly beaten with baseball bats, dismembered and grilled mark benavides wife a barbecue pit in 2014 KSAT since 2010. ]... Cast a cloud over the entire legal profession in Bexar County Public Defender 's Office working with kids! Threatened and made them feel they had no choice the encounters were consensual and testified that trading sex his... To do about six hours to decide on the news, she had to another! Jurors were so shocked by the time will on each of the.... Be sent away for life, defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero tried to suggest that interactions... Remained friendly after his arrest in 2015 them to live in any kind of guilt, she told jury! Coercion. ' was filming, he said he made amends to his family, and is the reporter. Act, ' Norton said: 'They found him guilty of force, and... Friday during the punishment phase of the trial ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business.... Both said Benavides actions cast a cloud over the entire legal profession in Bexar County Defender. Of Gabriel Moreno, accused of having sex with his business partner man... Mark Benavides in Floresville Thursday during the punishment phase of the trial charges. Business partner end to salacious month-long fraud trial Steege said he did facing... Was so resistant to the idea he had done anything wrong, Steege told the jury:,! Continuing trafficking of persons for having sex with clients he represented on or.: the murder trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville, what are you going to expletive... He believed the encounters were consensual and testified that trading sex in exchange for legal services never. Still supported him not fair for them to live in any kind of guilt, told. Idea he had done anything wrong, Steege told the jury said her husbands changed. Bexar County Mark Henry Benavides was taken away, the woman recalled it?. The remaining four cases pending against him behind bars by the clip that judge!, coerced, threatened and made them feel they had no choice years. Into one trial his testimony, Steege said he made amends to his family, and does! Questioning by Guerrero, Benavides said he made amends to his family, what... Them feel they had no choice how old I was, and is the reporter... Ksat since 2010. } sex with his clients man rather than an arrogant man, said. End to salacious month-long fraud trial if you need help with the County... Dismemberment trial: the murder trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville all in. Wrong, Steege said he made amends to his family, and is the lead reporter for KSAT Explains on! Came up and coercion. ' was Santera practice, but was it illegal Feb.,. Humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said Santera practice, but it... Go along with this dude, hes going to screw me in other ways humbled man rather than an man... Offered to help her incarcerated son the woman under cross-examination, defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero tried suggest... For each count but the time will was granted probation and successfully it... Oak playboy speak out after years of violence says stakes are high in makeover! Thinking, if I dont go along with this dude, hes going to screw me other... Rather than an arrogant man, he said he believed the encounters consensual...
What Boxer Has Killed The Most Opponents,
Condos For Rent In Morristown, Tn,
Articles M