BRADENTON, Fla. (Court TV) — A former ballerina was sentenced to 20 years in state prison for killing her husband, which she said she did in self-defense.
In July, The jury deliberated for more than six hours before finding Ashley Benefield, 33, guilty of manslaughter, a lesser-included offense, in the death of her husband. She was initially charged with second-degree murder for the death of her husband, Douglas Benefield, 58, who was shot to death in Ashley’s bedroom in Sept. 2020.
Ashley Benefield appears at her sentencing hearing Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Court TV)
Though Ashley’s attorneys had asked for a downward departure in her sentence, citing alleged abuse in the couple’s relationship before Douglas’ death, Judge Stephen Whyte ultimately denied the motion. Judge Whyte sentenced Ashley to 20 years to be served in Florida State prisons, followed by 10 years of probation. She had faced a mandatory minimum of 11 1/2 years and a potential maximum sentence of 30 years.
Ashley and Douglas married in South Carolina just 13 days after meeting in 2016. After learning she was pregnant, Ashley moved to Florida and began fighting for sole custody of their child and accusing Douglas of abuse. After multiple hearings, a judge found Ashley’s claims did not have a “scintilla of credibility,” and awarded Douglas visitation in the months leading up to his death.
Douglas was killed while helping Ashley move her belongings to Maryland, where they were going to take up residence. During the move, Ashley, testified she shot her husband while fearing for her life after he assaulted her. Prosecutors said Ashley had no intention of reconciling with Douglas and was moving to Maryland after she had exhausted her legal avenues in Florida to keep Douglas from seeing their daughter.
Judge Whyte refused to dismiss the charges following a two-day “Stand Your Ground” hearing in July 2023. In his ruling, Judge Whyte wrote that the evidence “proves clearly and convincingly that the defendant is not entitled to court-ordered immunity from criminal prosecution, as she was not justified in using deadly force against the victim on September 27, 2020.”
Despite the ruling, Ashley’s defense argued the defendant suffers from “battered spouse syndrome.”
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 6 – 7/30/24
- Ashley Benefield is found guilty of manslaughter in the death of her husband, Doug Benefield.
- Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O’Donnell gives the closing arguments for the prosecution in The ‘Black Swan’ Murder Trial.
- Ashley Benefield’s Defense Attorney Neil Taylor delivers the defense’s closing arguments.
- Rebecca Freel delivers the state’s rebuttal closing argument.
- WATCH: Black Swan Murder Trial: Day 6 Recap
DAY 5 – 7/29/24
- The defense rested its case after calling two mental health experts to the stand.
- WATCH: Black Swan Murder Trial: Day 5 Recap
DAY 4 – 7/26/24
- Ashley Benefield takes the stand in her defense.
- Amy Carlton, who lived near Ashley at the time of the shooting, briefly appeared to say she heard loud noises resembling gunshots while on a walk with her husband, and that she saw a “hysterical” Ashley Benefield screaming and running towards neighbor John Sant’s home
- Faith Z. Brown, a Bradenton-based family law attorney who represented Ashley Benefield in various family court proceedings involving Ashley, Doug Benefield, and the custody of their young daughters took the stand
- WATCH: Black Swan Murder Trial: Day 4 Recap
DAY 3 – 7/25/24
- Eva Benefield, daughter of Douglas Benefield, was called to the stand to determine whether she violated the rules of sequestration.
- The jury heard testimony from the medical examiner and investigators. The state rests.
- WATCH: Black Swan Murder Trial: Day 3 Recap
DAY 2 – 7/24/24
- Ashley Benefield’s mother, Alicia Byers, takes the stand.
- Judge Matt Whyte reprimands defense attorney Neil Taylor for ‘inappropriate and unprofessional’ behavior outside the presence of the jury.
- Detective Chris Gillum, a domestic violence investigator, also takes the stand and speaks on comments made by Ashley Benefield.
DAY 1 – 7/23/24
- The jury hears opening statements
- Neighbor John Sant, who called 911 the night Ashley shot Douglas, takes the stand. The jury hears his 911 call.
- Douglas’ daughter, Eva Benefield, takes the stand
