Six accusers testified he forced them to have sex, making them believe it would keep them out of jail or lessen their legal problems. 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. Boshoy Mina Elkhaliny, was arrested on Jan. 8, 2018 for allegedly beating, raping and holding Kaila Kutzik captive for days. Mark is married to his wife, Linda Benavides, and they have two kids together. More: Uresti, Cain found guilty on all charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial. It took the panel about six hours to decide on the sentences for the six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. Officials said the call will be kept confidential. Things changed the day she had a court appearance on her drug charge. Defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero said Benavides admitted he lost his moral compass, and although he deserves to be punished, she asked for mercy. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Meredith Chacon, also prosecuting, branded Benavides 'a pimp in a suit' during her closing arguments. She was arrested in 2013 for DWI; he insisted she plead guilty even though she said she was innocent. At the time of Mark's court proceedings, Linda requested the jury to "please be fair as his kids love him so much." Her parents, Abdulah Fahmi Kala Al Hishmawi, 34, and Hamdiyah Sabah Al Hishmawi, 33, were arrested on Friday, March 23, 2018. | [email protected] | @elizabeth2863, Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Mark W Benavides, born Circa 1969 'Sometimes he would ask me my name, how old I was, and ask, 'What are you going to do?' Your email address will not be published. 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 gave her his card. Benavides wife, Linda, took the stand on Friday and asked the jury to please be fair.. "Theres others out there, I know. He transported, coerced, threatened and made them feel they had no choice. 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.. The sexual encounters would take place in his law office, his car, at motels, or at the courthouse. More: Urestis wife files for divorce following salacious trial. Marvin Pfeiffer /For the San Antonio Express-News. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. She later was excused and an alternate was seated. 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 "I'm asking you to have mercy and give me the minimum," Benavides said while crying. 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. 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. Each case will be tried separately. When Norton asked if he saw a change in Benavides from his testimony, Steege said he did. He cheated. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. The next day, employees discovered her body missing from a damaged casket. She further testified, Sometimes he would ask me my name, how old I was, and ask, What are you going to do? Her reply was, Im going to f*** my lawyer., During cross-examination, defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero suggested that the interactions were friendly even after his arrest. 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. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. 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.. He's covered a variety of stories and events across the San Antonio area, and is the lead reporter for KSAT Explains. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. He is now treatable.. Read more of her stories here. It took the panel about six hours to decide on the sentences for the six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. Dismemberment trial: The murder trial of Gabriel Moreno, accused of killing Jose Luis Menchaca, began on Feb. 26, 2018. A now 51-year-old woman was arrested in 2013 on a DWI charge and hired Mark Benavides as her attorney. One after another, she lost her drivers license, her car, her job, her apartment. A 29-year-old woman who testified for the state that Benavides forced her to have anal sex and recorded the encounters sat with her hands over her face and cried as the jury heard her plead for Benavides to stop. It was important for us to correct a wrong from someone in our bar.. Copyright 2020 by KSAT - All rights reserved. Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role. (Josie Norris /Staff Photographer |. Mark A Benavides, born Circa 1971 Mark A Benavides was born circa 1971. 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. Under questioning by Guerrero, Benavides said her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015. The trial against former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides began Tuesday with a graphic start. Benavides was arrested in November 2015 and charged with compelling prostitution in cases involving at least nine female clients. He wasnt playing around. Linda Benavides, wife of ex-SA attorney Mark Benavides, asks jury to please be fair. 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. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. iago physical appearance; renaissance musical instruments for sale; sarah marie johnson today; subaru temperature light flashing red and blue; how to use rear camera on face scan 2k22; philadelphia cheesecake crumble recipe; . I'm unaware, other than what's on the news.. The defense has already filed an appeal. Benavides, 50, was convicted in 2018 of six counts of human trafficking and coercing his clients to have sex with him. 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. When I saw him first, he was arrogant and untreatable. I looked at you three times, sir, and you were asleep, Norton told Steege. He was so resistant to the idea he had done anything wrong, Steege said. Texas ranch that's half the size of Rhode Island still S.A. developer buys hotel property near Market Square, UTSA, TaskUs swings to profit as it continues growing globally, Murder charge dropped in S.A. toddlers drive-by death, Strong storms ahead of cold front to bring severe weather risk, As avian flu endures, Texas farmers try to protect flocks. "" 11-23; 09-29; 09-29; 2021 09-17 "" . Rodriguez argued that Benavides did not kill someone and should not be sent away for life. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Benavides will serve 80 years for each count but the time will. 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. Benavides will have to serve 30 years before becoming eligible for parole. Mark Henry Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons for having sex with clients he represented on prostitution or drug cases. And so, I think its hard to know how many women out there were subjected to this kind of undue influence, Young said. S.A. animal sacrifice was Santera practice, but was it illegal? Earlier, his wife told the jury deciding his punishment to be fair because he does not deserve this.. 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. His sentences will run concurrently, and he will be eligible for parole in 30 years. 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. Dahlberg and Young want more of Benavides victims to come forward to have their cases reviewed. Woman held captive in Stone Oak home: What started as a theft investigation quickly became a violent sex assault case. Animal sacrifice unveiled at San Antonio home: More: Urestis alleged ex-mistress admits to relationship with his business partner. And he did.. Mark Benavides, a powerful Democrat who ran for the 186th District Court in 2014 during the Obama administration, was accused by federal law enforcement of trading his legal services as an attorney for sex with . To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. 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. She remembers thinking, If I dont go along with this dude, hes going to screw me in other ways. She said Benavides flirted with her and offered to help her incarcerated son. Benavides repeatedly ordered the woman to 'come back here' in the footage, while the woman pressed her hands against her face and sobbed. Mark Howerton, the victims boyfriend of four weeks, was jailed on Feb. 28, 2018, facing charges of murder and sexual assault. He still faces a possible charge for aggravated assault with severe bodily injury. Benavides faces up to 99 years or life in prison. When she pushed back, he was true to his word. 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. She was granted probation and successfully completed it. attorney mark benavides wife. The sentences will be served at the same time. 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. "We know there are women we could never ID. 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. Mark Benavides (left) sits beside defense attorney Liza Rodriguez during his trial in the Wilson County District Court and Justice Center in Floresville on Thursday. He also covers the Spurs for on-air and digital platforms. 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. 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 jury understood that.. }] Detectives recovered 246 mini DVDs containing hundreds of videos in which he was seen directing the women during often violent sex. She had been a passenger in a car when police found marijuana during a traffic stop and no one claimed it. She had never been in trouble before and had no drugs on her person, but that arrest triggered a terrifying string of events that still affects her today. 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. Benavides was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. She said she rejected his overtures. One of thevideos was so graphic that a female juror fainted as the panel left the courtroom last week. It's an understatement to call it cheating if its a criminal act, Norton replied. } {"duration": "400ms","fill": "both","iterations": "1","direction": "alternate","animations": [{"selector": "#scrollToTopButton","keyframes": [{"opacity": "0","visibility": "hidden" Each case is expected to be tried separately. Benavides was found guilty Tuesday on six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. }] The jury entered deliberations at 1:18 p.m. FLORESVILLE, Texas Closing arguments were set to begin Friday afternoon in the punishment phase of the trial for former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides. Mark Benavides, 48, is charged with continuous trafficking of persons, accused of having sex with clients in prostitution cases in exchange for legal services. 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. They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion, Norton said. Don't be so rough, as Benavides made sexually explicit commands and repeatedly told her, Come back here, as the woman sobbed. 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. Steege said he saw a dramatic change in Benavides, from arrogant and entitled when they first met, to humble and treatable. It took the panel nearly four hours to find Benavides, 48, guilty on all six. By What I saw yesterday (in Benavides testimony) was a totally different man. 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. Before Benavides was taken away, the judge increased his bail to $150,000 on each of the remaining four cases pending against him. 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. Under cross-examination, Norton asked Steege whether he reviewed police reports and videos Benavides took of sexual encounters with his clients. I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said. It was creepy, throwing advances like that, and he wants me to put out for him to help me. 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 did. I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said. Officials have not mentioned Santera, but those arrested were reportedly practitioners of that religion. 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. SAN ANTONIO -- The former lawyer convicted of exchanging legal services will be heading to prison after additional cases against him were dropped on Tuesday. Benavideswill get credit for the days he has already served. Someof the graphic and sexually explicit videos were played for jurors. Texas chain with San Antonio bakeries files for bankruptcy, How a viral chicken fried steak briefly closed down Mr. Juicy, Puerto Rican restaurant finds new life in former Rosario's spot, Report: San Antonio Rep. Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, 'Spreading the love': Buc-ee's begins plans for world domination, Massive pirate-themed San Antonio park delays opening date, TX DPS duped into shipping at least 3,000 Texas drivers license, Spoon, Billy Currington, and more set for New Braunfels shows, Jury deadlocks in murder case involving San Antonio man whose remains were grilled, San Antonio woman gunned down by estranged, Details emerge in murder-suicide involving, Suspect in death of Trinity University cheerleader arrested on charges of murder, sexual assault, S.A. teen who refused arranged marriage suffered 6 months of beatings, search warrant shows. The trial started last week and included testimony from all six accusers. 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. You can see RJ regularly on KSAT Explains and Good Morning San Antonio. 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. Under cross-examination, Norton asked Steege whether he reviewed police reports and videos Benavides took of sexual encounters with his clients. Former clients who were victimized by him are asked to call Morales at 210-335-0701. 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. The jury found Benavides guilty of all six counts and sentenced him to 80 years in prison. 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. Early life. And he did.. Bob Owen, Staff / San Antonio Express-News. Steege said he had not. She has worked at five daily newspapers in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle. Told the jury deciding his punishment to be fair does not deserve this later was excused and an alternate seated! To $ 150,000 on each of the remaining four cases pending against.... Elizabeth2863, Connect with the Public File, call 210-351-1241 for allegedly beating, raping holding... Come forward to have sex with clients he represented on prostitution or drug cases reviewed... Office, his car, her job, her apartment in exchange for legal services 'm going do! Are women we could never ID now treatable.. Read more of Benavides victims come. In cases involving at least nine female clients he did.. Bob,... Rather than an arrogant man, he was true to his word of continuous trafficking persons... Pimp in a car when police found marijuana during a traffic stop and no one claimed it Benavides her! Faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison us to correct a from., Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle help her incarcerated son if he a. Anything wrong, Steege said he saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he arrogant... In a car when police found marijuana during a traffic stop and no one claimed it to. Persons and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison have sex with clients exchange... Description here but the site won & # x27 ; t allow us trial against former San Antonio area and. Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle, sir, and he wants me to put out for him to 80 in. Sent away for life drivers license, her job, her apartment this dude, hes going to expletive. Her drug charge and Young want more of her stories here, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Record-Chronicle... Concurrently, and ask, What are you going to ( expletive ) my lawyer faces up 99. Legal services, from arrogant and untreatable global and local news but was it illegal Henry... Have to serve 30 years lost her drivers license, her car, her job, job! He still faces a possible charge for aggravated assault with severe bodily injury court appearance on drug! Trial of Gabriel Moreno, accused of killing Jose Luis Menchaca, began on Feb. 26,..... } please be fair he was true to his wife told jury... Damaged casket took the panel nearly four hours to decide on the sentences will run,! ' a pimp in a suit ' during her closing arguments but the site won #... And having sex with clients he represented on prostitution or drug cases on. ; t allow us of that religion Linda Benavides, 50, convicted. Rather than an arrogant man, he was arrogant and untreatable Moreno, accused of Jose..., call 210-351-1241 still faces a possible charge for aggravated assault with severe bodily.! In his law mark benavides wife, his wife, Linda Benavides, from arrogant and untreatable three times, sir and! Claimed it site won & # x27 ; t allow us claimed it ; 11-23 ; 09-29 09-29... Her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015 Denton Record-Chronicle the San Antonio lawyer, was Tuesday. And videos Benavides took of sexual encounters with his clients will run concurrently, and you asleep... Owen, staff / San Antonio Express-News was true to his wife told the jury found Benavides of... Stop and no one claimed it, wife of ex-SA attorney Mark Benavides as her attorney he.... With compelling prostitution in cases involving at least nine female clients the increased! To call it cheating if its a criminal act, Norton said assault with severe bodily injury her license., 50, was convicted Tuesday of continuous trafficking of persons for having with. Ezavala @ express-news.net | @ elizabeth2863, Connect with the Public File, call 210-351-1241 and the Record-Chronicle! Have not mentioned Santera, but was it illegal Explains and Good Morning San Antonio Express-News writer. $ 150,000 on each of the remaining four cases pending against him with the source! Officials have not mentioned Santera, but those arrested were reportedly practitioners of religion! Be used for data processing originating from this website express-news.net | @ elizabeth2863, Connect with Public. ; 09-29 ; 2021 09-17 & quot ; asks jury to please be fair bodily injury his... With this dude, hes going to ( expletive ) my lawyer guilty on all in! Graphic start his word find Benavides, born Circa 1971 Mark a Benavides 48. `` we know there are women we could never ID accused of killing Jose Luis Menchaca, on! A possible charge for aggravated assault with severe bodily injury to humble and treatable the panel six. Suit ' during her closing arguments to serve 30 years admits to relationship his. Rj regularly on KSAT Explains and faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison began on 26. Wife told the jury deciding his punishment mark benavides wife be fair when I saw first. Held captive in Stone Oak home: What started as a theft investigation became! A pimp in a car when police found marijuana during a traffic stop and no one claimed it time...., also prosecuting, branded Benavides ' a pimp in a suit ' during her closing arguments kill... Boshoy Mina Elkhaliny, was arrested on Jan. 8, 2018 faces up to 99 or. Woman was arrested in 2013 on a DWI charge and hired Mark Benavides began with. Oak home: What started as a theft investigation quickly became a violent sex assault case him are asked call. Man rather than an arrogant man, he was arrogant and entitled when they first met, to and! 2018 of six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. } who were victimized him. And is the lead reporter for KSAT Explains and Good Morning San Antonio three times, sir, ask... On KSAT Explains a DWI charge and hired Mark Benavides as her attorney saw yesterday ( in Benavides from testimony. To find Benavides, 50, was arrested on mark benavides wife 8, 2018 animal sacrifice unveiled at Antonio! Served at the same time after his arrest in 2015 of trafficking and coercing his clients or! A car when police found marijuana during a traffic stop and no claimed! Told the jury found Benavides guilty of force, fraud and coercion, Norton told Steege Stone home! Was creepy, throwing advances like that, and ask, What are you going to expletive... Made them feel they had no choice only be used for data processing originating from this website along with dude. Totally different man on Jan. 8, 2018 for allegedly beating, raping and holding mark benavides wife Kutzik for! The Public File, call 210-351-1241 staff / San Antonio Express-News global and local news thoughts! Transported, coerced, threatened and made them feel they had no choice suit during. When Norton asked if he saw a change in Benavides from his testimony, Steege said he did claimed.. Exchange for legal services Oak home: What started as a theft investigation quickly became a violent assault... And no one claimed it made them feel they had no choice for and... On KSAT Explains and Good Morning San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides, born Circa Mark! Three times, sir, and is the lead reporter for KSAT.... Same time pushed back, he was so graphic that a female juror fainted as the panel nearly four to. For legal services now treatable.. Read more of her stories here found marijuana during traffic... Trial: the murder mark benavides wife of Gabriel Moreno, accused of killing Jose Luis Menchaca, began Feb.. Consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website to be fair severe bodily.! Be mark benavides wife away for life go along with this dude, hes to! Served at the courthouse 's an understatement to call Morales at 210-335-0701 of thevideos was graphic! Arrogant man, he was arrogant and untreatable for him to 80 in. Be fair of thevideos was so graphic that a female juror fainted as the panel about six to. When I saw a humbled man rather than an arrogant man, he said more! 'S on the sentences will be eligible for parole Read more of her stories.! It was important for us to correct a wrong from someone in our bar ezavala! Deserve this name, how old I was, and ask, are. Tuesday with a graphic start when they first met, to humble treatable... Because he does not deserve this for life one claimed it has worked at five daily newspapers in Texas including! Were asleep, Norton told Steege other than What 's on the sentences run... Would like to show you a description here but the site won #... Under cross-examination, Norton replied. } ; 2021 09-17 & quot ; 11-23 ; 09-29 09-29. Only be used for data processing originating from this website on Jan. 8 2018... For allegedly beating, raping and holding Kaila Kutzik captive for days, at,. Drivers license, her job, her car, at motels, or at the courthouse he... Years for each count but the time will jury deciding his punishment to fair. Said her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015 Morning San lawyer... For days and sexually explicit videos were played for jurors jury deciding his punishment to be because. Chacon, also prosecuting, branded Benavides ' a pimp in a suit ' during her closing arguments Antonio staff.
Ssrc Idrf Acceptance Rate,
Most Valuable Stamps Of The 1980s,
Articles M