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. 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As he walked out, Benavides, 48, glanced at his parents and mouthed I love you to his wife. When I saw him first, he was arrogant and untreatable. It dragged on for nearly four years. Copyright 2018 by KSAT - All rights reserved. Mott died Aug. 8, 2015 and was to be cremated Aug. 15, 2015. It was important for us to correct a wrong from someone in our bar.. 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. More: San Antonio woman gunned down by estranged relativedies two weeks after shooting. 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Meredith Chacon prosecuting attorney in the Mark Benavides trial, talks to another attorney after 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. The next day, employees discovered her body missing from a damaged casket. 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.. Benavides was arrested in November 2015 and charged with compelling prostitution in cases involving at least nine female clients. Just this month, Benavides was indicted again for continuous trafficking of persons in connection with alleged incidents with four of the women from 2012 to 2015. Dont be so rough. Benavides can also be heard in the video making sexually explicit commands and telling her to Come back here.. Please be fair. There are 30+ professionals named "Mark Benavides", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. This jury understood that.. 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. His sentences will run concurrently, and he will be eligible for parole in 30 years. The victim identified Benavides as the man and also identified him in photographs by this tattoos, which are Asian writings on each of his forearms and a large image of the scales of justice down his back. Defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero said Benavides admitted he lost his moral compass, and although he deserves to be punished, she asked for mercy. Please be fair. Uresti divorce: A week after state Sen. Carlos Urestis conviction in a salacious trial that included vivid testimony about him carrying on an extramarital relationship, his wife filed for divorce. His kids love him so much, she told the jury through tears. A now 51-year-old woman was arrested in 2013 on a DWI charge and hired Mark Benavides as her attorney. More: Couple get $8 million for loss of daughters body from San Antonio funeral home. Benavides is accused of having sex with his clients in exchange for legal services. 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. Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role. Her parents, Abdulah Fahmi Kala Al Hishmawi, 34, and Hamdiyah Sabah Al Hishmawi, 33, were arrested on Friday, March 23, 2018. Benavides attorneys declined to comment on the verdict or sentencing. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. Youre hurting me. Officials said the women were extorted by Benavides to take plea deals for crimes they didnt commit. So far, two women represented by Benavides have had their convictions overturned and their records expunged. Ex-SA lawyer's mother defends convicted son on witness stand. More: Uresti, Cain found guilty on all charges in end to salacious month-long fraud trial. Marvin Pfeiffer /For the San Antonio Express-News. Benavides filmed videos of the violent sexual encounters, one of which was so graphic that a female juror fainted after viewing it in court. The woman said Benavides kept trying to meet with her after that episode, but she was afraid. She agreed to tell her story on the condition that she not be . More: San Antonio woman gunned down by estranged relativedies two weeks after shooting. They found him guilty of force, fraud and coercion, Norton said. Officials have not mentioned Santera, but those arrested were reportedly practitioners of that religion. 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. 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. SAN ANTONIO -- The former lawyer convicted of exchanging legal services will be heading to prison after additional cases against him were dropped on Tuesday. 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. 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. Rodriguez argued that Benavides did not kill someone and should not be sent away for life. At first, Benavides would text or call her when he was lonely or bored, she said. Public Defender Michael Young is working with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office Conviction Integrity Unit to review hundreds of Benavides cases with an eye toward overturning unfair convictions. The San Antonio attorney is accused of coercing clients into having sex with him in exchange for money or legal services. She said she knew Benavides cheated, but said the couple have two children and she still supported him. The trial against former San Antonio attorney Mark Benavides began Tuesday with a graphic start. He also covers the Spurs for on-air and digital platforms. 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. Benavides was convicted. Cayley Mandadi, a Trinity University cheerleader, died on Oct. 31, 2017 after falling unconscious in a car traveling to Houston. A witness described the crime scene as a "horror move" in testimony. Officials said the women were. Mark A. Cantu, III v. Commission for Lawyer Discipline . 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.. The second victim whose record has been expunged met Benavides when she was at the Bexar County Courthouse with her son, who was facing an assault charge. Early life. 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. He was in the wrong no matter what people did, said a 32-year-old woman who was one of Benavides' victims. San Antonio teen beating: A San Antonio 16-year-old who refused an arranged marriage endured six months of beatings at the hands of her parents before running away from her San Antonio home, according to court documents. She was convicted of the DUI charge and was sentenced to two years probation, which she completed in 2016. Reyes survived for two weeks before being pronounced dead. They are urging other victims to come forward to keep him in prison for good. Marisol Morales is a licensed counselor with the Bexar County Public Defenders Office and may be reached at 210-335-0701. He wouldnt help me for anything, she said. He will serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. Linda Benavides testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of her husband, Mark Benavides, in Floresville. scott van pelt wife age. He paid more attention; we spent a lot more time with the kids, she told the court. His kids love him so much, she told the jury through tears. Fundraiser honors San Marcos child who was struck, killed CPS Energy sells circular Villita Assembly Building. Under questioning by Guerrero, Benavides said her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015. 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. 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. Prosecutors said Benavides will be back in a courtroom to face additional charges. We are asking you for 25 years, she said. She was granted probation and successfully completed it. Michelle Fair Hilliker, seated at center, consoles a victim testifying in the Mark Benavides trial. Personal Life, Parents and Family Details : Your email address will not be published. When he started throwing my son in there, I started taking him serious He started to get aggressive. 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 also writes a weekly Spurs newsletter. A 51-year-old victim of now-disbarred attorney Mark Benavides pauses during an inteview at her San Antonio home on June 18, 2020. Under questioning by defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero, Benavides said her husbands demeanor changed after his arrest in 2015. Its worth life, ladies and gentlemen, Chacon said in her closing argument. To read more from Elizabeth, become a subscriber. She told Benavides she did not want to have sex with him, but he still made me, she said. She said Benavides flirted with her and offered to help her incarcerated son. | ezavala@express-news.net | @elizabeth2863, Benavides sentenced to 80 years for coercing clients into having sex, Man dies following hit-and-run on San Antonio's Westside, Canyon Lake animal shelter faces claims of neglect, abuse. San Antonio teen beating: A San Antonio 16-year-old who refused an arranged marriage endured six months of beatings at the hands of her parents before running away from her San Antonio home, according to court documents. 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 has been excused from the trial and an alternate was put in her place. Steege said he saw a dramatic change in Benavides, from arrogant and entitled when they first met, to humble and treatable. She is heard stating, Mark, it hurts! Benavides was found guilty Tuesday on six counts of continuous trafficking of persons. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts in San Antonio. Since then, he has been named in multiple-count indictments. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. But he's a good person. Benavides was convicted of having sex with female clients in exchange for his 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. 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.. More: Urestis wife files for divorce following salacious trial. He is accused of having sex with his clients in exchange for legal services. Mark married Crystal A Valdez on month day 2009, at age 28 at marriage place, Texas. Uresti conviction: Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti was convicted on all 11 counts in his five-week criminal fraud trial ending Feb. 22, 2018. Dismemberment trial: The murder trial of Gabriel Moreno, accused of killing Jose Luis Menchaca, began on Feb. 26, 2018. Woman held captive in Stone Oak home: What started as a theft investigation quickly became a violent sex assault case. Benavideswill get credit for the days he has already served. But the experience left her deeply scarred. 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. S.A. animal sacrifice was Santera practice, but was it illegal? 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. A 51-year-old victim of now-disbarred Mark Benavides goes through paperwork at her San Antonio home on June 18, 2020. He has applied for probation, according to court records. He is a calculating and manipulating liar, she told the jury. }] 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. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. Steege said he had not. And he did.. Cruz, Abbott and others react to Castro's cancer diagnosis, Rep. Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, undergoes surgery, San Antonio's first car elevator is ready to start accepting cars, Buc-ees planning new travel centers in Wisconsin, Florida. The intense media coverage prompted a change of venue to Floresville in Wilson County, where a jury heard testimony from six women Benavides had represented in prostitution or drug cases. Mark Steege, a sex therapist, testifies Friday during the punishment phase of the trial of Mark Benavides in Floresville. 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. May 25, 2022 . But hes a good person. While questioning the woman under cross-examination, defense attorney Monica E. Guerrero tried to suggest that their interactions remained friendly after his initial arrest. 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. 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. The cases stretch back to 2000. Its not fair for them to live in any kind of guilt, she said. 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." He paid more attention, we spent a lot more time with the kids, Benavides said. Read more of her stories here. Benavidesapologized Thursday and asked for forgiveness as he testified. Due to the large amounts of publicity surrounding the case, the trial was moved from Bexar County to Wilson County. 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. At the time he had been running as a candidate as a state district judge. Benavides repeatedly ordered the woman to 'come back here' in the footage, while the woman pressed her hands against her face and sobbed. 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. 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. Shes pleased that the conviction is now off her record, thanks to the DAs and public defenders offices. He lied to you, sitting here. Boshoy Mina Elkhaliny, was arrested on Jan. 8, 2018 for allegedly beating, raping and holding Kaila Kutzik captive for days. 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. This was someone within our legal community, Dahlberg said. Things changed the day she had a court appearance on her drug charge. He transported, coerced, threatened and made them feel they had no choice. Prosecutors said Benavides traded sex for legal services. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Benavides accusers testified during the first phase of the trial that Benavides would take them to a motel and record videos of those encounters. He eventually started asking me for small stuff, meet up for lunch, stuff like that, the woman said. District Judge Dick Alcala noticed that the jurors were looking distraught so he ordered a break. Benavides is being tried in. Mott died Aug. 8, 2015 and was to be cremated Aug. 15, 2015. 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. Benavides, a former San Antonio lawyer, was convicted Tuesday of trafficking and having sex with clients in exchange for legal services. 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