Ashley Benefield, a 33-year-old former ballerina, was convicted of manslaughter on Tuesday in the 2020 death of her husband, Doug Benefield. The Florida jury rejected her claim of self-defense in the shooting.
Benefield, initially charged with second-degree murder, was remanded into custody after the verdict. Her sentencing date is yet to be determined.
During the trial, Benefield testified that she shot her husband in self-defense during a violent confrontation at her home near Tampa. Prosecutors argued her account was inconsistent with the evidence and accused her of using false claims of abuse to gain sole custody of their child.
Related: Florida Ballerina Ashley Benefield Claims Self-Defense In Husband’s Shooting Death
Benefield’s lawyer countered that his client had repeatedly sought help for her husband’s alleged abuse, which escalated into a physical altercation leading to the shooting.
The lack of witnesses and video footage of the incident left the jury to rely on the conflicting testimonies and evidence presented by both sides.
After the verdict was announced, the judge revoked Benefield’s $100,000 bond and remanded her to the custody of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
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