View the profiles of professionals named "Mark Benavides" on LinkedIn. But the experience left her deeply scarred. Apparently, this has been going on for virtually his entire legal career, here. On ExpressNews.com: Four pending sex cases against convicted ex-San Antonio attorney dismissed. The case is being heard at the Wilson County under a change of venue from Bexar County, with Senior District Judge Dick Alcala presiding. 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. 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. Benavides took the stand Thursday during the punishment phase of the trial. She said she knew Benavides cheated, but said the couple have two children and she still supported him. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts in San Antonio. Former attorney Mark Benavides enters the courtroom of Judge Dick Alcala on Friday during the punishment phase of his trial in Floresville. They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion, Norton said. I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said. Copyright 2018 by KSAT - All rights reserved. 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. Everyone in the car was charged with drug possession. He was so resistant to the idea he had done anything wrong, Steege said. This is human trafficking, Chacon said. She was convicted of the DUI charge and was sentenced to two years probation, which she completed in 2016. The latest indictment is the fifth open case against Benavides. She is heard stating, Mark, it hurts! This was someone within our legal community, Dahlberg said. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. He wouldnt help me for anything, she said. Mott died Aug. 8, 2015 and was to be cremated Aug. 15, 2015. She said she knew Benavides cheated, but said the couple have two children and she still supported him. In April 2016, a jury indicted the San Antonio-based lawyer on multiple counts of sexual assault and compelling prostitution. It took the panel nearly four hours to find Benavides, 48, guilty on all six. She said they would go to a motel in San Antonio, where he told her what to do sexually while recording the encounter. Hes a lawyer running for judge!, She remembers him saying, If you arent going to play the way I want you to play with me, Im not going to help you.. She was later excused and replaced with an alternate. More: Urestis wife files for divorce following salacious trial. Officials have not mentioned Santera, but those arrested were reportedly practitioners of that religion. A Texas jury sentenced former San Antonio lawyer Mark Benavides to 80 years in prison April 6 for coercing clients to have sex with him in exchange for legal services. 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. This is a carousel. He also writes a weekly Spurs newsletter. They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion, Norton said. Under questioning by defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero, Benavides said her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015. 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. Benavides will serve 80 years for each count but the time will. I looked at you three times, sir, and you were asleep, Norton told Steege. 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. He's covered a variety of stories and events across the San Antonio area, and is the lead reporter for KSAT Explains. The woman said that, eventually, Benavides stopped talking to her about her drug case except to urge her to plead guilty. 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. Someof the graphic and sexually explicit videos were played for jurors. When I saw him first, he was arrogant and untreatable. He wasnt playing around. 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 said he knew police and judges and I didnt know who to try to ask for help, she said. Your lawyer is supposed to help you, not hurt you.. What I saw yesterday (in Benavides testimony) was a totally different man. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Dont be so rough. Benavides can also be heard in the video making sexually explicit commands and telling her to Come back here.. The Express-News generally does not identify victims of sexual assault. AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new. Personal Life, Parents and Family Details : Mark was born on October 1st, 1969. The trial started last week and included testimony from all six accusers. I started caring for him as a person because I didnt have anybody at the time. Menchaca was allegedly beaten with baseball bats, dismembered and grilled on a barbecue pit in 2014. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. Reyes survived for two weeks before being pronounced dead. Its a very important function and a priority in our office, said District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales. Mark Henry Benavides will have to serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. 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. Its something that is very present for them.. Mark Henry Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons for having sex with clients he represented on prostitution or drug cases. We are asking you for 25 years, she said. Fundraiser honors San Marcos child who was struck, killed CPS Energy sells circular Villita Assembly Building. 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. 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. He cheated. It took the panel about six hours to decide on the sentences for the six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. } View Non-AMP Version Copyright 2017 JDJOURNAL, Disbarred San Antonio Attorney Mark Benavides Trial Delayed, San Antonio Lawyer Compelled Clients for Sex, Woman Says She Traded Sex for Legal Services, Disney Star, Caroline Sunshine, Joins White House as a Press Assistant , East Palestine Train Derailment Draws Lawyers: Information Sessions and Client Sign-Ups Increase, Prosecutors Highlight Ex-Lawyer Murdaughs Financial Misdeeds and Inconsistencies in Murder Trial Cross-Examination, Consovoys Boutique Law Firm Returns to Supreme Court in Student Loan Lawsuit. 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." We are asking you for 25 years, she said. Her conviction has been overturned based on his ineffectual counsel. , updated Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role. He transported, coerced, threatened and made them feel they had no choice. 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. Its an understatement to call it cheating if its a criminal act, Norton said. Shes pleased that the conviction is now off her record, thanks to the DAs and public defenders offices. More: Man accused in death of trans woman wont face trial. 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. Steege said he saw a dramatic change in Benavides, from arrogant and entitled when they first met, to humble and treatable. Prosecutors said Benavides' conviction has tainted some 5,000 cases and convictions he was involved in. This is a carousel. 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. 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. Rodriguez argued that Benavides did not kill someone and should not be sent away for life. Follow KSAT's Twitter Moment below for the latest updates on the trial. He still faces a possible charge for aggravated assault with severe bodily injury. District Judge Dick Alcala noticed that the jurors were looking distraught so he ordered a break. Rory Tingle For Dailymail.com 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. Benavides was first arrested in November 2015, charged with compelling prostitution from at least nine female clients. Investigators seized 246 mini DVDs that contained hundreds of videos of Benavides and the former clients engaged in various sex acts, in which he could be heard directing the women and telling them what to do and say. Boshoy Mina Elkhaliny, was arrested on Jan. 8, 2018 for allegedly beating, raping and holding Kaila Kutzik captive for days. Courthouse reporter for KSAT Explains view the profiles of professionals named & quot ; on LinkedIn in 2016... To decide on the sentences for the six counts of continuous trafficking persons! 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