She is heard stating, Mark, it hurts! 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. But the experience left her deeply scarred. Copyright 2018 by KSAT - All rights reserved. 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. Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved. 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. 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. | [email protected] | @elizabeth2863, Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Menchaca was allegedly beaten with baseball bats, dismembered and grilled on a barbecue pit in 2014. He is accused of having sex with his clients in exchange for legal services. Manage Settings 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. The jury entered deliberations at 1:18 p.m. } {"duration": "400ms","fill": "both","iterations": "1","direction": "alternate","animations": [{"selector": "#scrollToTopButton","keyframes": [{"opacity": "0","visibility": "hidden" When you drill down deeper and what weve seen in the cases, its actually extortion, said lead Bexar County Public Defender Michael Young. Officials said the women were extorted by Benavides to take plea deals for crimes they didnt commit. She told jurors Feb. 1, 2018, that she and Uresti would have sex in his law office. Mark Benavides, 48, is charged with continuous trafficking of persons, accused of having sex with clients in prostitution cases in exchange for legal services. Dont be so rough. Benavides can also be heard in the video making sexually explicit commands and telling her to Come back here.. It took the panel nearly four hours to find Benavides, 48, guilty on all six counts. She remembers thinking, If I dont go along with this dude, hes going to screw me in other ways. As the jurors were exiting the courtroom, one juror fainted. She said Benavides flirted with her and offered to help her incarcerated son. 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. Former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides is serving 80 years in prison for forcing former clients into having sex. More: Urestis wife files for divorce following salacious trial. When I saw him first, he was arrogant and untreatable. 'Sometimes he would ask me my name, how old I was, and ask, 'What are you going to do?' Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role. His mother, Olga Benavides, defended her son on the witness stand, saying she didn't think he was guilty of trafficking charges. Personal Life, Parents and Family Details : Mark was born on October 1st, 1969. He was in the wrong no matter what people did.. 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. More: Urestis alleged ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business partner. 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. In a video played in court that only the jury could see, the woman could be heard crying, Mark, it hurts! It took the panel nearly four hours to find Benavides, 48, guilty on all six. He paid more attention; we spent a lot more time with the kids, she told the court. May 25, 2022 . She said she rejected his advances and later lost her license, her car, job and apartment. 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. Marisol Morales is a case manager with the Bexar County Public Defender's Office working with victims of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides. The sentences will be served at the same time. At the end, she said, he would ask her to say bye to the camera. There are 30+ professionals named "Mark Benavides", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. I'm unaware, other than what's on the news.. The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.. "Theres others out there, I know. The jury entered deliberations at 1:18 p.m. Benavides, 50, was convicted in 2018 of six counts of human trafficking and coercing his clients to have sex with him. Benavides was convicted in 2018 for six counts of human trafficking for trading sex for legal services. She said she knew Benavides cheated, but said the couple have two children and she still supported him. 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. Jurors were shown a video recorded by one of Benavides alleged victims showing a violent sexual . Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. So far, two women represented by Benavides have had their convictions overturned and their records expunged. Officials said the women were. 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. 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 still faces a possible charge for aggravated assault with severe bodily injury. Jurors also viewed a separate DVD of Benavides trying to get his brother to destroy sex videos at his home as the investigation was underway. 'It's an understatement to call it cheating if it's a criminal act,' Norton said. Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News. Marvin Pfeiffer /For the San Antonio Express-News. Mark W Benavides, born Circa 1969 juror fainted as the panel left the courtroom last week. 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." Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into . District Judge Dick Alcala noticed that the jurors were looking distraught so he ordered a break. His kids love him so much,' she told the jury while crying. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville. Benavides will serve 80 years for each count but the time will. 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 woman said Benavides kept trying to meet with her after that episode, but she was afraid. 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. Summary: After watching a graphic video of a sexual encounter between a former San Antonio attorney and one of his victims, a juror passed out. According to a criminal complaint, authorities alleged Mark Benavides pressured his victims everywhere from courtroom conference rooms to his office and hotels between 2009 and 2015. The jury found him guilty of crimes, not cheating.. Mark Henry Benavides will have to serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. Both said Benavides actions cast a cloud over the entire legal profession in Bexar County. This jury understood that.. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Personal Life, Parents and Family Details : Your email address will not be published. Mark is married to his wife, Linda Benavides, and they have two kids together. I felt like he was coming on to me, and I didnt like it.. 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. , updated Ex-SA lawyer's mother defends convicted son on witness stand. The case was tried in Wilson County on a change of venue from Bexar County, with Senior District Judge Dick Alcala presiding. More: Urestis alleged ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business partner. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. 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. He faces two charges of sexual assault of a child, one charge of sexual assault and two charges of continuous trafficking of persons, according to court records. She later was excused and an alternate was seated. Bendavid played the role of Barbara Hershey's character's son Dominic Blythe in Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning. When she pushed back, he was true to his word. He also writes a weekly Spurs newsletter. Please be fair. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Even though her record has been expunged, shes still trying to get her drivers license back and pay off fines and fees associated with the original charge. It was important for us to correct a wrong from someone in our bar.. Read more of her stories here. I started caring for him as a person because I didnt have anybody at the time. She was granted probation and successfully completed it. Benavides was indicted earlier this month for continuous trafficking of women between 2012 and 2015. 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. FLORESVILLE A juror hearing a sex case against a former San Antonio attorney fainted after seeing video of a sexual encounter involving the defendant as his trial opened Tuesday. He lied to you, sitting here. 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. "" 11-23; 09-29; 09-29; 2021 09-17 "" . And he did.. Benavides was convicted of having sex with female clients in exchange for his legal services. 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. Several women also testified that they would also have sex with Benavides in backrooms at the courthouse. When she had to see him, she would bring her mother along. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Mark Henry Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons for having sex with clients he represented on prostitution or drug cases. Benavides is accused of having sex with his clients in exchange for legal services. She was convicted of the DUI charge and was sentenced to two years probation, which she completed in 2016. 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. It's an understatement to call it cheating if its a criminal act, Norton replied. Benavides was sentenced to 80 years in prison. Under questioning by Guerrero, Benavides said her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015. 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. Steege said he saw a dramatic change in Benavides, from arrogant and entitled when they first met, to humble and treatable. 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 More: Death penalty testimony paints violent portrait of officers killer. A 51-year-old victim of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides pauses during an inteview at her San Antonio home on June 18, 2020. A Wilson County jury found Benavides guilty on Tuesday. 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. One of thevideos was so graphic that a female juror fainted as the panel left the courtroom last week. Marisol Morales, a case manager at the Public Defenders Office, has been working with the two women and others Benavides abused. Linda Benavides testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of her husband, Mark Benavides, in Floresville. FLORESVILLE, Texas UPDATE: Jurors on Friday sentenced convictedformer San Antonio attorney Mark Benavidesto 80 years in prison for each of his six counts of human trafficking. Benavides admission of the DVDs' existencewas recorded at police headquarters in November 2015, when detectives interviewed him. Misael started at KSAT-TV as a photojournalist in 1987. Shes pleased that the conviction is now off her record, thanks to the DAs and public defenders offices. 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. 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. By Rodriguez argued that Benavides did not kill someone and should not be sent away for life. Prosecutor Jay Norton said this case was about forced sex, not just about legal services.. Six women he had represented in prostitution or drug cases testified he coerced. Earlier, his wife told the jury deciding his punishment to be fair because he does not deserve this.. 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. Please be fair. At first, I thought he was playing around, recalled the woman, now 51. 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. Benavides repeatedly ordered the woman to 'come back here' in the footage, while the woman pressed her hands against her face and sobbed. His sentences will run concurrently, and he will be eligible for parole in 30 years. Linda Benavides, wife of ex-SA attorney Mark Benavides, asks jury to please be fair. Linda Benavides, Marks wife, testified on Friday morning and asked the jury to please be fair.. Mott died Aug. 8, 2015 and was to be cremated Aug. 15, 2015. FLORESVILLE, Texas Closing arguments were set to begin Friday afternoon in the punishment phase of the trial for former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides. She told Benavides she did not want to have sex with him, but he still made me, she said. Benavides wife, Linda, took the stand on Friday and asked the jury to please be fair.. Woman held captive in Stone Oak home: What started as a theft investigation quickly became a violent sex assault case. What I saw yesterday (in Benavides testimony) was a totally different man. She was arrested in 2013 for DWI; he insisted she plead guilty even though she said she was innocent. Marisol Morales is a case manager with the Bexar County Public Defender's Office working with victims of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides. 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. RJ Marquez has been at KSAT since 2010. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts on the Express-News Crime Team. According to court documents, the district attorney's office cited insufficient evidence in dropping the charges. In this2018 file photo he sits in Judge Dick Alcalas courtroom to address his other pending pending 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. 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.