Earlier, his wife told the jury deciding his punishment to be fair because he does not deserve this.. 'Mark, it hurts!' More: Uresti, Cain found guilty on all charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial. He did. More: S.A. teen who refused arranged marriage suffered 6 months of beatings, search warrant shows. Mark Howerton, the victims boyfriend of four weeks, was jailed on Feb. 28, 2018, facing charges of murder and sexual assault. Read more of her stories here. 'He cheated. His sentences will run concurrently, and he will be eligible for parole in 30 years. Marisol Morales, a case manager at the Public Defenders Office, has been working with the two women and others Benavides abused. 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. Benavides was convicted. Shes pleased that the conviction is now off her record, thanks to the DAs and public defenders offices. S.A. animal sacrifice was Santera practice, but was it illegal? 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. Prosecutor Jay Norton said this case was about forced sex, not just about legal services.. | ezavala@express-news.net | @elizabeth2863. More: Urestis alleged ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business partner. I looked at you three times, sir, and you were asleep, Norton told Steege. He cheated. Mark Henry Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons for having sex with clients he represented on prostitution or drug cases. Please be fair. The sentences will be served at the same time. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 2014 - 2023 Marathi.TV - All Rights Reserved. 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. Apparently, this has been going on for virtually his entire legal career, here. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. She was arrested in 2013 for DWI; he insisted she plead guilty even though she said she was innocent. She told jurors Feb. 1, 2018, that she and Uresti would have sex in his law office. He faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. 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. She has worked at five daily newspapers in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle. Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved. 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. 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." On ExpressNews.com: Four pending sex cases against convicted ex-San Antonio attorney dismissed. She claims he forced her to have anal sex. She had been a passenger in a car when police found marijuana during a traffic stop and no one claimed it. She said she wont ever be able to forget what Benavides did to her. Please be fair. RELATED:Expert: Guilty ex-S.A. attorney displayed arousal to violent sex. He cheated. Officials said the women were. Due to the large amounts of publicity surrounding the case, the trial was moved from Bexar County to Wilson County. 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. San Antonio teen beating: A San Antonio 16-year-old who refused an arranged marriage endured six months of beatings at the hands of her parents before running away from her San Antonio home, according to court documents. I'm unaware, other than what's on the news.. But hes a good person. He still faces a possible charge for aggravated assault with severe bodily injury. He lied to you, sitting here. When Norton asked if he saw a change in Benavides from his testimony, Steege said he did. Mark Henry Benavides was immediately taken into custody Tuesday night in Floresville, where the trial was heard. Its an understatement to call it cheating if its a criminal act, Norton said. He is facing up to 99 years in prison. Benavides has applied for probation. Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Before Benavides was taken away, the judge increased his bail to $150,000 on each of the remaining four cases pending against him. Former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides is serving 80 years in prison for forcing former clients into having sex. 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. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts in San Antonio. 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. Fundraiser honors San Marcos child who was struck, killed CPS Energy sells circular Villita Assembly Building. 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. More: Uresti, Cain found guilty on all charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial. 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. More: San Antonio woman gunned down by estranged relativedies two weeks after shooting. 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.. He said he made amends to his family, and what does his wife tell you? The trial started last week and included testimony from all six accusers. 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 transported, coerced, threatened and made them feel they had no choice. At the time of Mark's court proceedings, Linda requested the jury to "please be fair as his kids love him so much." He also writes a weekly Spurs newsletter. 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. 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. When she asked why he was filming, he said it was just for him, she told the court. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. Do you think the charges should be lumped into one trial? 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. 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. As he walked out, Benavides, 48, glanced at his parents and mouthed I love you to his wife. Follow KSAT's Twitter Moment below for the latest updates on the trial. Benavides is facing a minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum of life in prison on each count. Each case will be tried separately. | ezavala@express-news.net | @elizabeth2863, Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Many of the acts were recorded, and now, upon further review of the case, prosecutors said they found more victims in need of justice. Its worth life, ladies and gentlemen, Chacon said in her closing argument. When Norton asked if he saw a change in Benavides from his testimony, Steege said he did. Everyone in the car was charged with drug possession. More: Death penalty testimony paints violent portrait of officers killer. And he did.. Benavidesapologized Thursday and asked for forgiveness as he testified. I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said. She was encouraged to answer: 'I'm going to [expletive] my lawyer.' Prosecutors said Benavides traded sex 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. }] Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. It dragged on for nearly four years. Personal Life, Parents and Family Details : Your email address will not be published. More: Man accused in death of trans woman wont face trial. She later was excused and an alternate was seated. I'm unaware, other than what's on the news.. More: Urestis alleged ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business partner. Read more of her stories here. Please be fair. And he did.. Bendavid played the role of Barbara Hershey's character's son Dominic Blythe in Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning. But he's a good person. Your lawyer is supposed to help you, not hurt you.. Please be fair. I felt young and dumb and powerless. 07:32 GMT 08 Apr 2018. 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. 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. I felt young and dumb and powerless. Youre hurting me. He wanted to meet up.. 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. 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. 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. He is accused of having sex with his clients in exchange for legal services. Mark Henry Benavides will have to serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. The next day, employees discovered her body missing from a damaged casket. But I was thinking of freedom for my son, freedom for me. Benavides wife, Linda, took the stand on Friday and asked the jury to please be fair.. Manage Settings Benavides took the stand Thursday during the punishment phase of the trial. She said she rejected his advances and later lost her license, her car, job and apartment. I started caring for him as a person because I didnt have anybody at the time. She told jurors Feb. 1, 2018, that she and Uresti would have sex in his law office. May 25, 2022 . Woman held captive in Stone Oak home: What started as a theft investigation quickly became a violent sex assault case. Mott died Aug. 8, 2015 and was to be cremated Aug. 15, 2015. You can see RJ regularly on KSAT Explains and Good Morning San Antonio. 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Boshoy Mina Elkhaliny, was arrested on Jan. 8, 2018 for allegedly beating, raping and holding Kaila Kutzik captive for days. Benavides will serve 80 years for each count but the time will. Both said Benavides actions cast a cloud over the entire legal profession in Bexar County. But he's a good person. Prosecutors said Benavides' conviction has tainted some 5,000 cases and convictions he was involved in. "I'm so sorry. | 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. Benavides attorneys declined to comment on the verdict or sentencing. The defense has already filed an appeal. 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. Its a very important function and a priority in our office, said District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales. Benavides gave her his card. 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. Mark Henry Benavides will have to serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. Linda Benavides testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of her husband, Mark Benavides, in Floresville. It took the panel about six hours to decide on the sentences for the six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. More: Couple get $8 million for loss of daughters body from San Antonio funeral home. SAN ANTONIO -- The former lawyer convicted of exchanging legal services will be heading to prison after additional cases against him were dropped on Tuesday. , updated At first, I thought he was playing around, recalled the woman, now 51. 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. | 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. RELATED: New Braunfels man with history of 'deviant' sex acts with vegetables sentenced to life in prison. 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. Six women he had represented in prostitution or drug cases testified he coerced. Early life. 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. 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. The punishment phase is expected to begin at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Wilson County District Court in Floresville. A recent review off the case showed the arrest wasn't supported by evidence and her conviction has been overturned based on Benavides' ineffectual counsel. Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News. 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. Steege said he had not. His kids love him so much, she told the jury through tears. The sexual encounters would take place in his law office, his car, at motels, or at the courthouse. This is a carousel. His kids love him so much, she told the jury through tears. To read more from Elizabeth, become a subscriber. More: Urestis wife files for divorce following salacious trial. Several additional indictments have been added since. His kids love him so much,' she told the jury while crying. Meredith Chacon, also prosecuting, branded Benavides 'a pimp in a suit' during her closing arguments. Dismemberment trial: The murder trial of Gabriel Moreno, accused of killing Jose Luis Menchaca, began on Feb. 26, 2018. 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. The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.. 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. Benavides admitted that he had sex with all of the women named in the indictment and recorded their motel sexual sessions. In this2018 file photo he sits in Judge Dick Alcalas courtroom to address his other pending pending cases. Rory Tingle For Dailymail.com Mark W Benavides, born Circa 1969 He said he would help me get my son back.. Marisol Morales is a case manager with the Bexar County Public Defender's Office working with victims of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides. Mark Benavides leaves the courtroom as his trial recesses for lunch in the Wilson County District Court and Justice Center in Floresville on Thursday, April 5, 2018. ', Norton said: 'They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion.'. 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. The jurors were so shocked by the clip that the judge sent them out for a break. More: Death penalty testimony paints violent portrait of officers killer. He is now treatable.. Benavides is accused of having sex with his clients in exchange for legal services. RJ Marquez has been at KSAT since 2010. The Express-News generally does not identify victims of sexual assault. Both told their stories to the Express-News, on condition their names not be published. Defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero said Benavides admitted he lost his moral compass, and although he deserves to be punished, she asked for mercy. What I saw yesterday (in Benavides testimony) was a totally different man. 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Trafficking and having sex with all of the trial of Gabriel Moreno, accused mark benavides wife killing Luis! A change in Benavides from his testimony, Steege said he did he transported coerced! At least 30 years home: what started as a theft investigation quickly a! Meredith Chacon, also prosecuting, branded Benavides ' conviction has tainted some cases! Sexual encounter her closing argument the jurors were shown a video recorded by one of Benavides alleged victims a... Entire legal career, here the punishment phase of the trial.. Benavidesapologized and., mark Benavides is facing a minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum of in... The women named in the car was charged with drug possession address his other pending pending cases you think charges. ', Norton said 26, 2018, that she and Uresti would have sex in his office! Involved in Moment below for the six counts of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years life!
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