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. The punishment phase is expected to begin at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Wilson County District Court in Floresville. A Wilson County jury found Benavides guilty on Tuesday. The sentences will be served at the same time. Prosecutor Jay Norton said this case was about forced sex, not just about legal services.. She was 20 when she found herself facing possible prison time. 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. 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.. 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. The witness pointed out Benavides in court and also identified him in photographs by his tattoos Asian writings on the back of each forearm and a large image of the scales of justice down the center of his back. When I saw him first, he was arrogant and untreatable. Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville. Texas Democrat, Attorney Mark Benavides, has been found guilty on six counts of sex trafficking and torture by a judge in San Antonio. More: S.A. teen who refused arranged marriage suffered 6 months of beatings, search warrant shows. Benavides was convicted. He is facing up to 99 years in prison. It took the panel nearly four hours to find Benavides, 48, guilty on all six counts. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. A 51-year-old victim of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides pauses during an inteview at her San Antonio home on June 18, 2020. Benavidesapologized Thursday and asked for forgiveness as he testified. Mark Benavides, 48, is charged with continuous trafficking of persons, accused of having sex with clients in prostitution cases in exchange for legal services. SAN ANTONIO Former attorney Mark Benavides has been sentenced to 80 years for six counts of continuing trafficking of persons. On Tuesday, prosecutors in a Texas court played footage of Benavides forcing one such client to have anal sex with him, KSAT reported. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Six women he had represented in prostitution or drug cases testified he coerced. Its worth life, ladies and gentlemen, Chacon said in her closing argument. You can see RJ regularly on KSAT Explains and Good Morning San Antonio. Jury deliberations begin in Mark Benavides trial. Apparently, this has been going on for virtually his entire legal career, here. I was never alone with him after that, she said. Alison Dahlberg, director of the DAs Conviction Integrity Unit, has worked with Michael Young, chief defender for the Bexar County Public Defenders Office, to identify potentially hundreds of victims of Benavides and re-evaluate their criminal cases. 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. Steege said he had not. 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. Its not something thats far in the past, Morales said. She remembers thinking, If I dont go along with this dude, hes going to screw me in other ways. Six months later, she was charged with driving under the influence, and she hired him to represent her. The trial against former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides began Tuesday with a graphic start. Benavides was indicted earlier this month for continuous trafficking of women between 2012 and 2015. The evidence against Benavides included portions of 246 videos the lawyer recorded of himself having sex with his clients. Jacob's Well in Hill Country closed 'for foreseeable future', Dogs in fatal mauling linked to previous S.A. attacks. Misael started at KSAT-TV as a photojournalist in 1987. By Read more of her stories here. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts on the Express-News Crime Team. This jury understood that., RELATED: S.A. company responds after woman finds 'teeth' in barbacoa. 'He cheated. Menchaca was allegedly beaten with baseball bats, dismembered and grilled on a barbecue pit in 2014. 'It's an understatement to call it cheating if it's a criminal act,' Norton said. Benavides will have to serve 30 years before becoming eligible for parole. 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. In halting sobs, Benavidesapologized and asked for forgiveness as he testified. attorney mark benavides wife. 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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. I'm unaware, other than what's 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. The women said the alleged encounters took place at his law office, motels, his car and the courthouse, according to the affidavit. When she pushed back, he was true to his word. She said she rejected his overtures. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. They are urging other victims to come forward to keep him in prison for good. He was in the wrong no matter what people did, said a 32-year-old woman who was one of Benavides' victims. "I'm so sorry. I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said. Ex-SA lawyer's mother defends convicted son on witness stand. Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Bendavid was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to a Belgian-born mother and a Moroccan-Jewish father. In this2018 file photo he sits in Judge Dick Alcalas courtroom to address his other pending pending cases. During the trial,San Antonio Police Department Detective Manual Morales testified that police found a filing cabinet at Benavides' home containing 246 of what the detective called "pornographic DVDs" that showed Benavides having sex with women who police said were Benavides' clients. On ExpressNews.com: Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into having sex. More: San Antonio woman gunned down by estranged relativedies two weeks after shooting. Women who employed him as their lawyer in prostitution cases told police that Benavides coerced them into having sex to help lessen their legal problems or to get their cases dismissed, an arrest warrant affidavit filed before the original indictments states. I am not aware of what has happened, except what I heard on the news, she said. 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. Benavides, 50, was convicted in 2018 of six counts of human trafficking and coercing his clients to have sex with him. But he's a good person. The San Antonio attorney is accused of coercing clients into having sex with him in exchange for money or legal services. Benavides was arrested in November 2015 and charged with compelling prostitution in cases involving at least nine female clients. Animal sacrifice unveiled at San Antonio home: His mother, Olga Benavides, defended her son on the witness stand, saying she didn't think he was guilty of trafficking charges. During the trial, some of the graphic and sexually explicit encounters were played for the jury. She was charged with possession of marijuana when police found the drug in a car she was riding in but she didn't have it on her person. Who does that? she asked. And he did.. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 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. Benavides is facing a minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum of life in prison on each count. 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. FLORESVILLE, Texas Closing arguments were set to begin Friday afternoon in the punishment phase of the trial for former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides. He is now treatable.. He cheated. More: San Antonio woman gunned down by estranged relativedies two weeks after shooting. Former San Antonio attorney Mark Benvides sits in the 186th District Court in this March 23, 2017, photo. 07:32 GMT 08 Apr 2018. 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. 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. He threatened that if they did not, he would withhold legal services, sabotage their cases and make sure they went to prison. 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. } {"duration": "400ms","fill": "both","iterations": "1","direction": "alternate","animations": [{"selector": "#scrollToTopButton","keyframes": [{"opacity": "0","visibility": "hidden" Mark Henry Benavides will have to serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. Youre hurting me. Personal Life, Parents and Family Details : Mark was born on October 1st, 1969. Their testimony established a pattern Benavides would pick them up from their homes or from jail, then take them to a hotel or a meeting room behind the courtroom to have sex. 2014 - 2023 Marathi.TV - All Rights Reserved. 'To me, it's cheating,' Benavides replied. 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. More: Uresti, Cain found guilty on all charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial. A member of the jury collapsed after watching some of the images on the first day of the trial. I looked at you three times, sir, and you were asleep, Norton told Steege. Rodriguez argued that Benavides did not kill someone and should not be sent away for life. He said he made amends to his family, and what does his wife tell you? mark benavides wife. Don't be so rough, as Benavides made sexually explicit commands and repeatedly told her, Come back here, as the woman sobbed. She was incredulous. The woman pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Mark Henry Benavides was immediately taken into custody Tuesday night in Floresville, where the trial was heard. She said Benavides flirted with her and offered to help her incarcerated son. Its an understatement to call it cheating if its a criminal act, Norton said. It's an understatement to call it cheating if its a criminal act, Norton replied. Its a very important function and a priority in our office, said District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales. 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. He did. This is a carousel. 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. It took the panel about six hours to decide on the sentences for the six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. She was encouraged to answer: 'I'm going to [expletive] my lawyer.' More: Urestis alleged ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business partner. }] 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. ', Norton said: 'They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion.'. By 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. 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. Many of the acts were recorded, and now, upon further review of the case, prosecutors said they found more victims in need of justice. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. More: Uresti, Cain found guilty on all charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial. Uresti conviction: Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti was convicted on all 11 counts in his five-week criminal fraud trial ending Feb. 22, 2018. This is human trafficking, Chacon said. 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 so resistant to the idea he had done anything wrong, Steege said. 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. He wasnt playing around. 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. Officials said the call will be kept confidential. "I'm asking you to have mercy and give me the minimum," Benavides said while crying. After the judge ruled the evidence was insufficient, the victims mother collapsed in the courtroom. 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.. But Benavides said he believed the encounters were consensual and testified that trading sex in exchange for legal services was never discussed. 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. More: Couple get $8 million for loss of daughters body from San Antonio funeral home. They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion, Norton said. Mark A. Cantu, III v. Commission for Lawyer Discipline . Since then, he has been named in multiple-count indictments. Reyes survived for two weeks before being pronounced dead. 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. Woman held captive in Stone Oak home: What started as a theft investigation quickly became a violent sex assault case. The sexual encounters would take place in his law office, his car, at motels, or at the courthouse. 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. Several additional indictments have been added since. "I'm so sorry. 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. He wouldnt help me for anything, she said. Follow KSAT's Twitter Moment below for the latest updates on the trial. 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. Another victim, now 51, was arrested in 2013 for DWI. He faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. But he's a good person. Mark is married to his wife, Linda Benavides, and they have two kids together. But why should I have to do that?. On ExpressNews.com: Four pending sex cases against convicted ex-San Antonio attorney dismissed. To learn more about the case against Benavides, read these articles: Lawyers from various law firms, including MotleyRice, Morgan & Morgan, and Cory Watson, are flocking, Disbarred lawyer Alex Murdaugh took the stand on Thursday to deny murdering his wife and, J. Michael Connolly is set to debut his argument in the US Supreme Court in, {"duration": "400ms","fill": "both","iterations": "1","direction": "alternate","animations": [{"selector": "#scrollToTopButton","keyframes": [{"opacity": "1","visibility": "visible" This is a carousel. Its not fair for them to live in any kind of guilt, she said. 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
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