Benavides was indicted earlier this month for continuous trafficking of women between 2012 and 2015. SAN ANTONIO Former attorney Mark Benavides has been sentenced to 80 years for six counts of continuing trafficking of persons. She was incredulous. 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. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); For requests, complaints, suggestions or queries, contact us via E-mail below, Diane McIver Wikipedia Biography Family, Wedding, Age, Funeral, Dolores Avery Age, Death Dead or Alive 2023 Wikipedia, Young, Bio, RachelJeffs Husband, Net worth, Age, Children Kids Wiki Biography , Eddie Ray Routh Now 2023, Wikipedia, Die, Mother, Death, Age, PTSD, Dalia Dippolito Age, Wiki, Husband, Teeth, Family Son, Mom, Bio Now, Teresa Halbach Wiki, Family Tree, Brother, Bio Steven Avery Case , Elizabeth Yardley Wiki, Age, Birthday, Married, Family (Personal Life) Bio, Tex McIver Age, Wife Wikipedia Bio Appeal Updates, Ranch. The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.. The video caused one juror to faint, according to the Express News. I'm unaware, other than what's on the news.. Youre hurting me. The woman in the video later explained to the court that she felt she had to sleep with her lawyer because 'he said he would help me get my son back.'. 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. Benavides attorneys declined to comment on the verdict or sentencing. 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. The woman who had been charged with drug possession encouraged victims to make that call. District Judge Dick Alcala noticed that the jurors were looking distraught so he ordered a break. 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. Norton told the jury that this wasnt Benavides trial alone, that it was shared with every single person who took the stand and told their stories. On Tuesday, prosecutors in a Texas court played footage of Benavides forcing one such client to have anal sex with him, KSAT reported. 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. Officials have not mentioned Santera, but those arrested were reportedly practitioners of that religion. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts on the Express-News Crime Team. 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. At first, I thought he was playing around, recalled the woman, now 51. We are asking you for 25 years, she said. | 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. Mark Henry Benavides will have to serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. Benavides is being tried in Wilson County on a change of venue from Bexar County because of intense media coverage. Mark A Benavides, born Circa 1981 Mark A Benavides was born circa 1981. But he's a good person. The next day, employees discovered her body missing from a damaged casket. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Murder-suicide at upscale apartment complex:Tania Rendon-Santiago was killed at her apartment complex in the 1800 block of Broadway Street in an apparent murder-suicide on March 12. He lied to you, sitting here. Benavides faces up to 99 years or life in prison. 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. 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. Bendavid played the role of Barbara Hershey's character's son Dominic Blythe in Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning. Benavides was found guilty Tuesday on six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. On ExpressNews.com: Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into having sex. Several additional indictments have been added since. More: Urestis alleged ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business partner. Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville. Mark married Crystal A Valdez on month day 2009, at age 28 at marriage place, Texas. Each case will be tried separately. Charges against ten of eleven people arrested for animal cruelty in March, involving what one official described as some sort of unknown ritual involving dismembered goats and chickens, were later dropped. 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. 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. He did. 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.. Steege said he had not. Benavides is facing a minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum of life in prison on each count. Prosecutor Jay Norton said this case was about forced sex, not just about legal services.. Jurors on Friday afternoon are deliberating the fate of former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides. In the end, she had to hire another lawyer, because Benavides was behind bars by the time her case came up. Her parents, Abdulah Fahmi Kala Al Hishmawi, 34, and Hamdiyah Sabah Al Hishmawi, 33, were arrested on Friday, March 23, 2018. When she had to see him, she would bring her mother along. And so, I think its hard to know how many women out there were subjected to this kind of undue influence, Young said. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. More: Jury deadlocks in murder case involving San Antonio man whose remains were grilled. Everyone in the car was charged with drug possession. Each case will be tried separately. Youre hurting me. I looked at you three times, sir, and you were asleep, Norton told Steege. Its an understatement to call it cheating if its a criminal act, Norton said. Please be fair. They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion, Norton said. Steege said he had not. "I'm so sorry. View the profiles of professionals named "Mark Benavides" on LinkedIn. His kids love him so much,' she told the jury while crying. Its something that is very present for them.. Under questioning by defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero, Benavides said her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015. It dragged on for nearly four years. Who does that? she asked. She said Benavides told her to say 'bye' to the camera after they finished. Read more of her stories here. attorney mark benavides wife. Please be fair. 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." } {"duration": "400ms","fill": "both","iterations": "1","direction": "alternate","animations": [{"selector": "#scrollToTopButton","keyframes": [{"opacity": "0","visibility": "hidden" mark benavides wife. Mark married Olivia Perez on month day 2001, at age 30 at marriage place, Texas. scott van pelt wife age. She said she wont ever be able to forget what Benavides did to her. Jurors were shown a video recorded by one of Benavides alleged victims showing a violent sexual encounter. Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role. Benavides repeatedly ordered the woman to 'come back here' in the footage, while the woman pressed her hands against her face and sobbed. 07:32 GMT 08 Apr 2018. 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. In this2018 file photo he sits in Judge Dick Alcalas courtroom to address his other pending. She was 20 when she found herself facing possible prison time. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. She said she rejected his advances and later lost her license, her car, job and apartment. In April 2016, a jury indicted the San Antonio-based lawyer on multiple counts of sexual assault and compelling prostitution. Her testimony came a day after Benavides took the stand. Linda Benavides, Mark's wife, testified on Friday morning and asked the jury to "please be fair." She said she knew Benavides cheated, but said the couple have two children and she still. 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. More: S.A. animal sacrifice was Santera practice, but was it illegal? 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. 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. Read more of her stories here. Your lawyer is supposed to help you, not hurt you.. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Mark Henry Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons for having sex with clients he represented on prostitution or drug cases. Both sides rested their cases and are expected to begin closing arguments this afternoon. 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. She said she knew Benavides cheated, but said the couple have two children and she still supported him. Please be fair. FLORESVILLE The wife of a former San Antonio attorney convicted of having sex with clients in exchange for legal services asked jurors here who will decide his punishment to be fair, because he does not deserve this.. A 51-year-old victim of now-disbarred Mark Benavides goes through paperwork at her San Antonio home on June 18, 2020. I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said. It was a case that rattled San Antonio. Read more of her stories here. Mark Benavides, a powerful Democrat who ran for the 186th District Court in 2014 during the Obama administration, was accused by federal law enforcement of trading his legal services as an attorney for sex with . Under cross-examination, Norton asked Steege whether he reviewed police reports and videos Benavides took of sexual encounters with his clients. He would require her to say bye at the end to the camera. 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. He is facing up to 99 years in prison. }] He still faces a possible charge for aggravated assault with severe bodily injury. Its a very important function and a priority in our office, said District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales. Mark is married to his wife, Linda Benavides, and they have two kids together. What I saw yesterday (Benavides testimony), was a totally different man. Benavides forced six women he had represented in prostitution or drug cases to have sex with him in return for legal help. 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. Six accusers testified he forced them to have sex, making them believe it would keep them out of jail or lessen their legal problems. Prosecutor Jay Norton said this case was about forced sex, not just about legal services.. He ran for judge and he used that as part of his operation, his judicial candidacy, as coercion, Young said. 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. He transported, coerced, threatened and made them feel they had no choice. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. Things changed the day she had a court appearance on her drug charge. 14:01 GMT 07 Apr 2018 Rory Tingle For Dailymail.com Several of clients claimed that Benavides promised them he'd help them, and even get the cases thrown out altogether if they slept with him, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. This month, Benavides was indicted again on a charge of continuous trafficking of persons in connection with alleged incidents that involved four women between 2012 and 2015. A witness described the crime scene as a "horror move" in testimony. This is human trafficking, Chacon said. Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Benavides accusers testified during the first phase of the trial that Benavides would take them to a motel and record videos of those encounters. Both said Benavides actions cast a cloud over the entire legal profession in Bexar County. Since then, he has been named in multiple-count indictments. He is now treatable.. Mark Howerton, the victims boyfriend of four weeks, was jailed on Feb. 28, 2018, facing charges of murder and sexual assault. He is a calculating and manipulating liar, she told the jury. He was so resistant to the idea he had done anything wrong, Steege said. Required fields are marked *. 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. 'It's an understatement to call it cheating if it's a criminal act,' Norton said. Both told their stories to the Express-News, on condition their names not be published. Fundraiser honors San Marcos child who was struck, killed CPS Energy sells circular Villita Assembly Building. | 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. Texas ranch that's half the size of Rhode Island still S.A. developer buys hotel property near Market Square, UTSA, TaskUs swings to profit as it continues growing globally, Murder charge dropped in S.A. toddlers drive-by death, Strong storms ahead of cold front to bring severe weather risk, As avian flu endures, Texas farmers try to protect flocks. 'Mark, it hurts!' The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. It took the panel about six hours to decide on the sentences for the six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. Benavides was sentenced to 80 years in prison. Animal sacrifice unveiled at San Antonio home: 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. Officials said the women were extorted by Benavides to take plea deals for crimes they didnt commit. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 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. While the video played, the victim cried with her hands over her face in the courtroom as she can be heard in the video pleading for Benavides to stop. But the experience left her deeply scarred. He transported, coerced, threatened and made them feel they had no choice. While questioning the woman under cross-examination, defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero tried to suggest that their interactions remained friendly after his initial arrest. The woman said that, eventually, Benavides stopped talking to her about her drug case except to urge her to plead guilty. ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863. This jury understood that., RELATED: S.A. company responds after woman finds 'teeth' in barbacoa. 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. 2014 - 2023 Marathi.TV - All Rights Reserved. I started caring for him as a person because I didnt have anybody at the time. He paid more attention, we spent a lot more time with the kids, Benavides said. Lawyers are supposed to help you, not hurt you. A 32-year-old woman victimized by a local attorney recalls her ordeal from her early 20s. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. As he walked out, Benavides, 48, glanced at his parents and mouthed I love you to his wife. Steege said he saw a dramatic change in Benavides, from arrogant and entitled when they first met, to humble and treatable. Intense media coverage and made them feel they had no choice on condition their names not be published,... Couple have two kids together to urge her to say 'bye ' to the Express-News Crime.! Courtroom to address his other pending one juror to faint, according to the camera after they finished paid... Youre hurting me he still faces a possible charge for aggravated assault with severe injury... 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