On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, Alexander Beniquez, 62, of Havre de Grace, was found guilty of First Degree Assault and Second Degree Assault following a two day jury trial before the Honorable Yolanda L. Curtin in the Circuit Court for Harford County.
This conviction stems from an incident occurring on July 23, 2023, where Beniquez was found to have assaulted his wife in an Edgewood Motel room where the couple was staying. Evidence presented in the trial proved that Beniquez struck the victim and eventually strangled her by placing his hands around her neck and squeezing with so much force that marks and bruises were almost immediately visible on her neck. This strangulation restricted the victim’s airflow, and she was rendered unconscious for several minutes. After regaining consciousness, the argument continued into the parking lot of the motel, where Defendant convinced the victim to get into the car with him, promising to take her somewhere safe. However, the arguing continued in the vehicle and the victim eventually fled at an intersection running into a nearby restaurant to call 911. Beniquez left the scene prior to police arrival.
Following the guilty verdict, the Defendant was remanded into the custody of the Harford County Detention Center where he will remain pending sentencing which will be scheduled at a later date. State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey offered the following comment: “As a long time Domestic Violence prosecutor, cases like these will always be a priority under my administration. The cycle of domestic violence is one that results in the loss of far too many lives and I am proud of the work my office is doing to protect those most vulnerable and ensure that justice is served before life is lost.”
State’s Attorney Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney, Jennifer Alvarez for her perseverance and advocacy in this case. She also thanks Detective Marks of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for the investigation of this matter which ultimately resulted in a violent Domestic Violence offender being removed from our community.