The 33-year-old Ashley Benefield, on Wednesday, July 31, has been found guilty of killing her husband, Doug Benenfield.
According to NBC News, Ashley was convicted of manslaughter at a Flordia court over shooting her estranged husband in September 2020.
The former ballerina had been charged with second-degree murder for the case that was dubbed the ‘Black Swan’ trial, but she claimed that she shot him in self-defence. However, the jury convicted her of a lesser charge.
Last week, Ashley told the court that she shot her husband in self-defence during what she describes as a ‘terrifying confrontation with him’ in South Tampa.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor argued that evidence from the day of manslaughter did not match her description and accused her of using ‘unfounded’ allegations of domestic violence to get custody of their child.
Ashley’s lawyer, Neil Taylor, said his client did what any ‘law-abiding’ citizen can do with an abusive partner. “(She fielded) complaint after complaint after complaint, calling Doug Benefield’s behaviour to the attention of authorities with no results. Over and over again with no relief."
Whereas Suzanne O’Donnell, assistant state attorney for Florida’s 12th Judicial District, asserted during her closing argument, “She did not have to shoot him. She had an agenda. She got what she wanted.”
After the announcement of the verdict, the judge revoked Ashley Benefield’s $100,000 bond and remanded her to the custody of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
To note, Ashley’s sentencing date will be announced later.
