Original Blog Entry: Inmate, pregnant fiancee wed in courtroom, but they can't touch

truesee — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 12:18:25 GMT

Inmate, pregnant fiancee wed in courtroom, but they can t touch

DAN ROZEK Staff Reporter

Sun Time

August 19, 2011 5:08PM

Updated: August 20, 2011 6:11AM

The bride wore black, while the groom sported handcuffs.

And thanks to security rules, Jessica Ortiz and Tharvin Benitez couldn t exchange rings or even share the traditional kiss after their unusual wedding Friday in a Wheaton courtroom.

Benitez, 21, is jailed after being arrested in May on felony drug charges.

But the Des Plaines man and his pregnant, 21-year-old bride wanted to be married before their child is born, so they sought permission from DuPage County Judge Blanche Fawell for the courthouse wedding.

Fawell, who is presiding over Benitez s criminal case, approved the request and performed the brief marriage ceremony after Benitez clad in standard-issue orange jail fatigues and handcuffs appeared in her courtroom on his drug charges.

Courthouse rules that prevent jail inmates from touching visitors ruled out the usual wedding kiss after Ortiz and Benitez completed their vows.

And defense attorney Robert Duffy had to step in for Benitez and place the ring on Ortiz s finger a task he can t remember performing for a client.

In 40 years of practice, that s never occurred before, Duffy said.

Ortiz said the couple already was planning to marry before Benitez s arrest, but decided to go ahead with the ceremony because the birth of their child is imminent.

It should be next week, Ortiz said of her expected delivery.

The newlyweds may not be spending much time together.

If convicted, Benitez faces up to 30 years in prison. He also could face deportation for allegedly entering the country illegally.

It s going to be a while before they take their honeymoon, Duffy said. But love springs eternal.

LINK TO PHOTO:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/7166980-417/inmate-pregnant-fiancee-wed-in-courtroom-but-they-cant-touch.html

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