A judge in Hays County has handed down a life sentence without the possibility of parole to Mark Anthony Briones, following his conviction for the capital murder of Annalyne Fridley Benavides in 2022.
Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced the sentencing of Judge Bruce Boyer.
The announcement of the sentencing arrives shortly after what would have marked Annalyne’s third birthday on November 1.
On June 20, 2022, Briones was taking care of Annalyne Fridley Benavides, his roommate’s seven-month-old baby. He had looked after her before.
At approximately 5:01 p.m., Annalyne was taken to Seton Hospital after she stopped breathing and had no pulse. Medical professionals noted extensive bruising across her entire body.
Annalyne was subsequently airlifted to Dell Children’s Hospital, where she was later declared brain-dead.
Briones reported that Annalyne was behaving normally until she fell from his 12-inch trundle bed and became unresponsive. His account did not align with the medical findings, which indicated detached retinas, anoxic brain injury, and subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages.
Multiple medical professionals provided testimony indicating that Annalyne’s injuries and the extensive bruising on her body were indicative of a fatal beating.
A photograph of Annalyne, taken the morning before her death, was presented to the jury, showing her in good health with no visible bruising.
Authorities from the Kyle Police Department, including Sgt. Tim Owens and Det. Pedro Carrasco, conducted the investigation, while the prosecution was handled by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Katie Arnold and Rebecca Lopez.
