And he did.. }] As they were walking out, one woman fainted at the door. More: San Antonio woman gunned down by estranged relativedies two weeks after shooting. 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. He said he would help me get my son back, the woman told the court. A 32-year-old woman victimized by a San Antonio attorney said she was 20 when she was arrested on a marijuana possession charge as a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 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. I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said. Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville. It was important for us to correct a wrong from someone in our bar.. 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. The evidence against Benavides included portions of 246 videos the lawyer recorded of himself having sex with his clients. There are 30+ professionals named "Mark Benavides", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. Jurors were shown a video recorded by one of Benavides alleged victims showing a violent sexual . Linda Benavides (front), who is the wife of Mark Benavides, and his mother, Olga Benavides, are emotional after he was given 80 years after being convicted for continuous trafficking of persons on Friday. 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. Benavides was found guilty Tuesday on six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. 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.'. Benavides was convicted. Officials said the call will be kept confidential. But the experience left her deeply scarred. | ezavala@express-news.net | @elizabeth2863. 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. 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. 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. I felt like he wasnt even trying to help me anymore, but I already had given him $3,000 and I couldnt afford another lawyer, she said. 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. Benavides filmed videos of the violent sexual encounters, one of which was so graphic that a female juror fainted after viewing it in court. Benavides admitted that he had sex with all of the women named in the indictment and recorded their motel sexual sessions. 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.. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. When she had to see him, she would bring her mother along. He would tell her what to do and what sexual positions he wanted her in, using a handheld video recorder to film the acts from start to finish. More: Urestis wife files for divorce following salacious trial. Its worth life, ladies and gentlemen, Chacon said in her closing argument. Former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides is serving 80 years in prison for forcing former clients into having sex. Bendavid was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to a Belgian-born mother and a Moroccan-Jewish father. He faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. More: Couple get $8 million for loss of daughters body from San Antonio funeral home. scott van pelt wife age. And so, I think its hard to know how many women out there were subjected to this kind of undue influence, Young said. There are women we did speak to that did not want to participate," said Meredith Chacon, a prosecutor. 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. 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. Former San Antonio attorney Mark Benvides sits in the 186th District Court in this March 23, 2017, photo. 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. In her closing argument, defense attorney Liza Rodriguez said Benavides is not the person jurors saw only in the snippets of video the state put together for them to watch. Jury deliberations begin in Mark Benavides trial. Benavides will serve 80 years for each count but the time will. Fridays ruling came amid a highly publicized trial that had to be moved to Floresville at the request of Benavides attorneys, who claimed that the case received too much publicity in San Antonio for him to get a fair trial. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. It took the panel about six hours to decide on the sentences for the six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. SAN ANTONIO Former attorney Mark Benavides has been sentenced to 80 years for six counts of continuing trafficking of persons. Cayley Mandadi, a Trinity University cheerleader, died on Oct. 31, 2017 after falling unconscious in a car traveling to Houston. 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. She said they'd first had sex in July 2014 - on the same day that he was appointed by the court to work as her attorney. 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. Former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides is serving 80 years in prison for forcing former clients into having sex. The women said the alleged encounters took place at his law office, motels, his car and the courthouse, according to the affidavit. He threatened that if they did not, he would withhold legal services, sabotage their cases and make sure they went to prison. His kids love him so much, she told the jury through tears. 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. Six accusers testified he forced them to have sex, making them believe it would keep them out of jail or lessen their legal problems. Misael started at KSAT-TV as a photojournalist in 1987. Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role. Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Defense expert Mark Steege, a sex therapist who testified he has treated hundreds of sex offenders in 35 years, said he evaluated Mark Benavides in April 2017. "Theres others out there, I know. Benavides accusers testified during the first phase of the trial that Benavides would take them to a motel and record videos of those encounters. Six months later, she was charged with driving under the influence, and she hired him to represent her. She said Benavides flirted with her and offered to help her incarcerated son. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Mark Henry Benavides will have to serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. The case was tried in Wilson County on a change of venue from Bexar County, with Senior District Judge Dick Alcala presiding. RELATED:Expert: Guilty ex-S.A. attorney displayed arousal to violent sex. Mark Benavides looks back at his wife and parents Friday as he is escorted out of the courtroom after being sentenced to 80 years for continuous trafficking of persons. The jury entered deliberations at 1:18 p.m. 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. Benavides gave her his card. He said he knew police and judges and I didnt know who to try to ask for help, she said. Uresti conviction: Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti was convicted on all 11 counts in his five-week criminal fraud trial ending Feb. 22, 2018. Steege said he saw a dramatic change in Benavides, from arrogant and entitled when they first met, to humble and treatable. Someof the graphic and sexually explicit videos were played for jurors. When she pushed back, he was true to his word. Under questioning by Guerrero, Benavides said her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015. 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. The cases stretch back to 2000. Its not fair for them to live in any kind of guilt. Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into having sex - San Antonio Express-News. Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role. 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. Calling him a master manipulator and liar, prosecutors had asked the jury to send Benavides to life in prison for having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. The latest indictment is the fifth open case against Benavides. Rodriguez argued that Benavides did not kill someone and should not be sent away for life. 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. 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. He was in the wrong no matter what people did, said a 32-year-old woman who was one of Benavides' victims. 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. AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. The father-of-two was convicted on all six counts he faced of continuous trafficking of persons and the panel took six hours to decide his sentences. Benavides was first arrested in November 2015, charged with compelling prostitution from at least nine female clients. "We know there are women we could never ID. RELATED: New Braunfels man with history of 'deviant' sex acts with vegetables sentenced to life in prison. She was encouraged to answer: 'I'm going to [expletive] my lawyer.' She remembers thinking, If I dont go along with this dude, hes going to screw me in other ways. Shes pleased that the conviction is now off her record, thanks to the DAs and public defenders offices. Reyes survived for two weeks before being pronounced dead. In this2018 file photo he sits in Judge Dick Alcalas courtroom to address his other pending. So far, two women represented by Benavides have had their convictions overturned and their records expunged. Benavides will serve 80 years for each count but the time will. The punishment phase is expected to begin at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Wilson County District Court in Floresville. When I saw him first, he was arrogant and untreatable. I thought I was alone. 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.. But he's a good person. She has worked at five daily newspapers in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle. More: Couple get $8 million for loss of daughters body from San Antonio funeral home. Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. 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. W&P Porter bowl review: A container that makes office 10 beach essentials to pack for a spring break vacation, HOKA dropped a brand new version of their most popular shoe, You can still overpack the smaller Monos check-in suitcase. Calling him a master manipulator and liar, prosecutors had asked the jury to send Benavides to life in prison for having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. 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. Steege said he saw a dramatic change in Benavides, from arrogant and entitled when they first met, to humble and treatable. SAN ANTONIO -- The former lawyer convicted of exchanging legal services will be heading to prison after additional cases against him were dropped on Tuesday. juror fainted as the panel left the courtroom last week. 'It's an understatement to call it cheating if it's a criminal act,' Norton said. Early life. But he's a good person. This is a carousel. 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. Steege said he had not. Marvin Pfeiffer /For the San Antonio Express-News. He did. Mark Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, appears in the Wilson County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, in Floresville, TX. W&P Porter bowl review: A container that makes office 10 beach essentials to pack for a spring break vacation, HOKA dropped a brand new version of their most popular shoe, You can still overpack the smaller Monos check-in suitcase. The case was later dismissed for a lack of evidence and Elkhaliny was set to be released from county jail without having to pay bail. He attended Unionville High School and was subsequently accepted into National Theatre School of Canada, graduating in 2004.. Career. 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. 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. 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. Uresti, Cain found guilty on all charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial, Urestis alleged ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business partner, Couple get $8 million for loss of daughters body from San Antonio funeral home, 'A classic sociopath: Abused victims of Stone Oak playboy speak out after years of violence, Death penalty testimony paints violent portrait of officers killer, Man accused in death of trans woman wont face trial, Urestis wife files for divorce following salacious trial, Texas-based Corner Bakery Cafe files for bankruptcy, We tried the chicken fried steak that (briefly) shut down Mr. Juicy, Luna Rosa opens in former Rosario's Southtown location, San Antonio congressman Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, Buc-ee's plans global domination with a proposed Wisconsin store, San Antonio's massive pirate-themed park delays opening date, DPS sent at least 3,000 drivers licenses to organized crime group targeting Asian Texans. She claims he forced her to have anal sex. More: Death penalty testimony paints violent portrait of officers killer. Mark Henry Benavides was immediately taken into custody Tuesday night in Floresville, where the trial was heard. On ExpressNews.com: Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into having sex. 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. 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. 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. 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