What led former ballerina Ashley Benefield to fatally shoot her husband? via NewsFlicks

This tale prior to now aired on Sept. 7, 2024. It used to be up to date on July 26, 2025.

After just about 4 years, the trial of Ashley Benefield, the previous ballerina charged with second-degree homicide for capturing her estranged husband Doug, started in the summertime of 2024. Within the lead-up to the trial, a small team seemed close to the courthouse to make stronger Ashley’s claims of self-defense.

A number of the supporters used to be Ashley’s mom Alicia and Ashley and Doug’s 6-year-old daughter Emerson, who stopped to talk to a reporter.

Emerson: It seems like I am status up for the appropriate factor and that I am doing the appropriate factor for her.

Emerson’s public display of make stronger stuck the eye of her half-sister, Doug’s daughter Eva Benefield. Eva, referred to as “evathefreakindiva” on TikTok, let her half of million fans know simply how she felt.

EVA BENEFIELD (On TikTok): So, I believe that we will have to most definitely prevent shoving cameras in 6-year-old’s faces after they do not know what is going on …

A JURY CONSIDERS: DID ASHLEY BENEFIELD KILL IN SELF-DEFENSE OR WAS IT MURDER?

Lead prosecutor Suzanne O’Donnell stated she believes Ashley killed Doug to ensure she’d all the time be No. 1 in Emerson’s lifestyles.

Suzanne O’Donnell: I believe Ashley sought after sole custody of her kid and used to be very afraid that she used to be going to lose custody altogether.

In her opening remark to jurors, O’Donnell defined the state’s idea of the case.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL (in courtroom): This used to be a custody struggle that this mom used to be going to win in any respect prices. And the price used to be the lifetime of Doug Benefield. And that’s homicide.

Protection legal professional Neil Taylor made his argument that Ashley shot Doug in self-defense after he bodily assaulted her.

NEIL TAYLOR (in courtroom): Douglas Benefield used to be a violent abuser. Ashley Benefield’s efforts to placate him used to be completely in step with what abused girls do.

For the primary time ever, Ashley would inform a jury what she says came about that night time.

The trial happened in Bradenton, Florida, close to the place Ashley used to be residing together with her mom when she killed Doug. It used to be the end result of an extended and complex courting.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL (in courtroom): … and it is going all of the as far back as after they met, again in 2016.

In 2016, Doug used to be residing in Charleston, South Carolina, and used to be a expert for era corporations. At 54 years outdated, Doug used to be 30 years older than Ashley however, as she informed the jury, she used to be nonetheless smitten with him.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom): He used to be humorous. Highly intelligent. Fascinating. We simply straight away clicked.

The couple met at a political dinner. On the time, Ashley used to be running within the Sarasota marketing campaign place of job of Donald Trump and from time to time helped fan the flames of the crowds at his rallies.

Ashley additionally had achieved some go well with modeling and for a time had danced with the Maryland Formative years Ballet. Simply 13 days after assembly, they married.

Stephanie Murphy is Doug’s civil lawyer.

Stephanie Murphy: Numerous folks ask … why on earth did they get married so speedy? I imply, come on … when Doug first met her, she used to be each unmarried bit as gorgeous as the ones modeling footage will display … She used to be a knockout!

NEIL TAYLOR (in courtroom): Describe the person you concept you’ll married.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD: He used to be very loving and attentive …We laughed so much and (crying) he made me really feel very particular and beloved.

Doug invited virtually nobody to the marriage, no longer even his teenage daughter Eva.

Jim Axelrod | “48 Hours” contributor: He loves this woman, his 15-year-old daughter … he is going and will get married and does not even inform her.

Tommie Benefield: Yeah.

Tommie Benefield is Doug’s cousin.

Tommie Benefield: …it is bewildering … I’d’ve talked him out of it. Eva indubitably would’ve talked him out of it. 

Eva used to be nonetheless coping with an unspeakable trauma. 9 months previous, her mom, Doug’s then-wife, had died. It used to be Eva who found out the frame of 56-year-old Renee Benefield of their house, useless from an undiagnosed middle ailment.

Eva Benefield: … after my mother died, he in point of fact took, more or less, a motherly function in conjunction with a fatherly function.

Jim Axelrod: Wow.

And he made his daughter a promise.

Eva Benefield: And I stated, “are you gonna remarry, are you gonna get started relationship? … Are you gonna produce other children?” Like, “what is gonna occur?” and he stated, “No, Eva. I am right here for you. I do not plan on doing any of that.”

However simply 9 months later, Doug informed his daughter he had married his new female friend.

Jim Axelrod: That is so much.

Eva Benefield: This can be a lot.

Doug inspired Ashley to take a look at and mom a reluctant Eva who used to be handiest 9 years more youthful.

Eva Benefield: … he mainly informed her that I wanted any individual … I wanted a motherly function in my lifestyles. And I did not assume that I wanted that.

Ashley would later inform jurors there used to be rigidity in the home and simply months into their marriage the couple had a big argument about Eva.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom): He pulled the gun out and grasp it to his head. He stated that he’s gonna blow his f—— brains out and I used to be gonna have to look at him. After which he pulled the cause and he shot a hollow within the ceiling within the kitchen.

Doug’s pal Go back and forth Cormeny recollects Doug being embarrassed when he informed Cormeny that he fired a gun in the home.

Go back and forth Cormeny: In his phrases he stated, “I did the dumbest factor I have ever achieved in my lifestyles.” 

However Ashley did not depart Doug after that incident. As a substitute, two days later, Doug and Ashley went forward with a proper marriage ceremony reception. The newlyweds have been additionally making plans for the longer term. Ashley had a grand plan to create a countrywide ballet corporate.

Go back and forth Cormeny: I do not know that Doug may just spell ballet earlier than he met Ashley. 

They usually sought after to begin a circle of relatives.

Go back and forth Cormeny: You already know, whilst you love any individual, what do you wanna do? You wanna make her glad. 

ASHLEY BENEFIELD’S LETTER TO HER HUSBAND AND AN ALLEGATION OF POISON

Despite the fact that there used to be a rising rigidity at house between Ashley and Eva —

Eva Benefield : He promised me that issues — issues have been going to be OK ultimately. 

— Doug went forward with serving to Ashley apply her dream — organising a ballet corporate in Charleston with a novel undertaking. Athena Nikolakopulos interviewed with Ashley and beloved what she heard about her imaginative and prescient for the brand new corporate, the American Nationwide Ballet.

Athena Nikolkopulos: She did not desire a cookie cutter corporate … She sought after ladies that have been tall, ladies that have been quick.

As they labored to get the corporate off the bottom, Ashley keen on her different dream of turning into a mom. There used to be one downside. Doug had a vasectomy, however he agreed to have it reversed. Then earlier than lengthy, Ashley used to be pregnant. 
 
Jim Axelrod: How did that sit down with you?

Eva Benefield: It did not sit down smartly in any respect. … He stated he wasn’t planning to do any of that  … so this kinda felt like every other stab within the again. 
 
In the summertime in 2017, some 40 dancers from all over the place the arena started arriving in Charleston to paintings with Ashley. However Ashley used to be nowhere to be discovered.

Athena Nikolkopulos: We get there and we are like, “The place is she?” And Doug declares that she’s bedridden with a in point of fact tough being pregnant.

On the finish of August, Ashley went again to Florida to reside together with her mom, whilst Doug attempted to make the ballet paintings in Charleston.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom): We determined in combination. He stated that he could not handle me. He used to be too busy and that my mother may just handle me higher, so I used to be glad to head.

However one September night time when Doug used to be out, Ashley and her mom got here again to the home in Charleston. Ashley would inform the jury about that night time. 

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom): I had determined I used to be going to go away him and so I went again to get my issues. … I left him a letter pronouncing why I used to be leaving.

Within the letter, Ashley known as Doug “possessive, controlling and manipulating.” She wrote about that incident the place he’d “shot a hollow within the ceiling within the kitchen” and wrote that his conduct “has left me worried for my lifestyles and protection in addition to that of my unborn kid.” She informed the jury why she used to be so terrified of him.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom): He would throw issues or ruin issues or ruin issues. He would come at me like he used to be gonna hit me. He informed me I used to be fortunate that he punched partitions as an alternative of me.

Just about a 12 months after Doug’s dying, “48 Hours” spoke to his circle of relatives legal professional Stephanie Murphy in regards to the letter Ashley left Doug.

Stephanie Murphy: I in point of fact assume that Ashley concept that that used to be gonna be it. Simply close up her stuff, depart a notice, and it used to be gonna be over.

However the letter did not deter Doug. He despatched textual content after textual content, begging Ashley to rethink. As a substitute, she reported Doug to the government.

Eva Benefield: She were given Kid Protecting Services and products concerned from Florida.

Ashley informed police that Doug had anger problems and used to be violent. Investigators interviewed Eva.

Eva Benefield: I used to be repeatedly having folks come as much as my door and wondering if my dad used to be a excellent dad. And it simply made me so offended as a result of he used to be.

After an investigation, Doug used to be cleared. However Ashley additionally started asking questions in regards to the dying of Doug’s earlier spouse — Eva’s mom Renee.

Ashley texted Doug: “Wait what did she die of once more?”

Doug answered that Renee had a 75% artery blockage.

Ashley texted again: “I believed I’ve heard you are saying one thing about medicines or one thing…? Like unhealthy medicine…?”

Doug’s cousin Tommie says Ashley informed him she concept Doug had poisoned Renee.

Jim Axelrod: What used to be your response? You should’ve been, like, “What?”

Tommie Benefield: It — it is out of left box. … I have learn the post-mortem file. It is transparent. Died of a middle assault, necessarily.

However Ashley, who stated she used to be extra nauseous than she would have anticipated as a pregnant lady, used to be suspicious.

Stephanie Murphy: Ashley believed that Doug has been poisoning her whilst she used to be pregnant with their daughter. They have been each large tea lovers … and she or he hearkened again to the days that Doug used to be bringing her tea in mattress.

After she left him, Doug despatched her a bundle of tea for her birthday.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom) Once I opened it, there used to be an awesome scent, like an actual sturdy chemical scent and I were given like an fast headache.

NEIL TAYLOR: Did you file it to the police?

ASHLEY BENEFIELD: Sure.

Consistent with a detective, it used to be decided that “the substance that used to be mailed to the sufferer used to be simply tea.”

NEIL TAYLOR (in courtroom): What used to be the end result?

ASHLEY BENEFIELD: No fees.

By means of the beginning of 2018, Doug closed the ballet and used to be out of verbal exchange with Ashley. However he sought after to be a part of his new child’s lifestyles and requested Stephanie Murphy to ship Ashley a letter permitting him to be there for the delivery. As a substitute, the following day, Ashley checked into the medical institution with out telling Doug. It used to be 3 weeks earlier than her due date.

Stephanie Murphy: She used to be at Tampa Normal Health facility … claiming … the kid have been uncovered to heavy metals in utero as a result of her husband had poisoned her.

Ashley informed medical institution staffers that after Doug realized she used to be pregnant, he hit her and locked her in a room again in Charleston. She additionally stated he had stalked her in Florida. No fees have been filed, however the medical institution took precautions and registered her beneath her heart title: Christina. 3 days later, docs carried out a C-section and Ashley gave delivery to a child woman. Doug used to be no longer notified.

Stephanie Murphy: I believe that Ashley’s proposal from the very starting used to be, “You’ll be able to don’t have anything to do with this kid.”

BENEFIELD VS. BENEFIELD

The scoop that Ashley had given delivery to a child woman in March 2018 took greater than a month to succeed in Doug. Ashley stated she nonetheless believed he had poisoned her and the infant, so she signed them up for 26 consecutive days of remedy in a hyperbaric chamber.

Robert Cederoth: It may detox the frame of heavy metals and different toxins.

Protection Director Robert Cederoth says Ashley and her 3-month-old daughter Emerson spent 40 hours in general within the chamber. She used to be the youngest affected person ever handled right here.

Robert Cederoth: Ashley’s daughter used to be in point of fact small … And so, we ended up taking this — ring and we put it round her waist. It used to be like — she used to be like a bit ballerina … and so half of of her frame used to be in reality inside the hood.

In the summertime of 2018, the poisoning allegations got here to a head when the Benefield’s squared off in a Bradenton, Florida, court docket. Doug sought after to look his daughter and Ashley used to be asking for an injunction to stay him some distance away.

An audio recording used to be product of the continuing. Ashley accused Doug of poisoning her and informed the pass judgement on about that incident when Doug fired a gun into the ceiling.

Doug admitted to firing the gun and defined to Ashley’s lawyer that right through an issue, he sought after Ashley to forestall talking. 

ATTORNEY: So, at this level, you made a decision that the following manner you will do to stay her from speaking about the rest is to shoot the gun?

DOUG BENEFIELD: Yeah — there is no longer a large number of nice techniques to — to determine what I used to be considering. It used to be surely to position a prevent to the dialog.

However Doug denied poisoning Ashley. In September 2018, the pass judgement on dominated in Doug’s prefer, granting joint custody. She stated she did not consider the rest Ashley needed to say.

JUDGE DIANA MORELAND [Court audio]: There’s completely no longer a unmarried scintilla of credibility that I am attaching to the rest that used to be testified to – a minimum of on this listening to of Ms. Benefield.

Days later, Doug and Ashley met on the sheriff’s place of job so he may just see his 6-month-old daughter for the primary time. Murphy says Ashley instructed that the 3 of them — Doug, Ashley and Emerson — spend time in combination.

Stephanie Murphy:  And Doug stated, “OK, positive” as a result of Doug sought after to make the transition as simple for his daughter as conceivable as a result of, to her, he used to be a stranger.

Over the following 12 months, the 3 of them have been in combination often.

Stephanie Murphy: Doug concept they have been again in combination, that they have been doing what they have been intended to do to start with, which used to be to slowly get to understand each and every different — be a circle of relatives … I believed the whole lot used to be gonna be OK.

However issues weren’t OK and Doug used to be in for a large wonder, Murphy says. In August 2019, Doug discovered Ashley used to be relationship every other guy. Doug filed for divorce and Ashley lodged a brand new spherical of accusations about him.

Stephanie Murphy: Ashley accused Doug of sexually abusing his daughter … she accused him of an entire litany of items.

Doug vehemently denied the allegations and the sheriff’s place of job looked as if it would agree. They investigated and closed all the instances relating to allegations of abuse with out submitting fees.

Jim Axelrod: I wanna be transparent about one thing … Used to be Doug ever charged with any crime?

Tommie Benefield: No, sir.

In the summertime of 2020, Ashley made plans to transport to Maryland together with her mom and daughter. Regardless of the difficulties of their courting, Doug selected to enroll in them.

Doug informed buddies he nonetheless sought after to be part of his daughter’s lifestyles and persisted to pray he may just reconcile with Ashley and feature a contemporary get started in Maryland.

Go back and forth Cormeny: There may be not anything I will say that might be able to flip him round in this. He is gonna do that if it kills him.

It used to be September 27, 2020, the day the turbulent courting between the Benefields in any case boiled over. Doug arrived at Ashley and her mom Alicia’s house to assist pack for the transfer.

Stephanie Murphy: Alicia makes a decision to take the infant for a stroll right down to the community park.

Ashley stayed at the back of with Doug. It used to be in a while thereafter, when Ashley ran to her next-door neighbor, sobbing, and sporting her .45 caliber gun. And he known as 911.

JOHN SANT to 911: [It was] proper subsequent door to me. She simply came around. Her estranged husband attacked her and she or he says she shot him.

Doug have been shot within the leg and chest. He lived for an hour however died at within sight medical institution. Ashley’s lawyer met her on the sheriff’s place of job. Detectives started investigating Ashley’s declare of self-defense, however they would must do it with out her

Stephanie Murphy: She did not discuss to detectives in any respect.

However after a month of investigation, in November 2020, Ashley Benefield used to be charged with second-degree homicide. She pleaded no longer accountable. After 17 days in prison, Ashley posted $100,000 bond.

It used to be just about 3 years later, in July 2023, that there used to be a key listening to within the case that introduced everybody in combination, together with Doug’s daughter, Eva.

EVA BENEFIELD (On TikTok | June 28, 2023): Subsequent week is her first in-person listening to …this means that I am gonna see her in consumer for the primary time since … she killed my Dad.

Ashley’s crew had requested for the case to be pushed aside, claiming she had shot Doug in self-defense. And prosecutors have been combating it.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL (in courtroom 2023): Did you do the post-mortem of Doug Benefield

DR. RUSSELL VEGA | Clinical Examiner: Sure, I did.

Eva wasn’t absolutely ready to listen to the main points of her father’s dying.

DR. RUSSELL VEGA: The projectile trail went during the chest wall at the proper facet after which it hit the appropriate lung

Eva Benefield (Sobs) … it is speaking about my dad in some way that does not really feel very humane. They referred to the — the homicide, the capturing because the incident and—. (Sobs) they — they pulled up footage of his frame and, you already know, they referred to my dad because the sufferer.

EVA BENEFIELD: (Sobs) It is been tough for me to more or less seize what is going on after which listening to about it yet again and yet again and yet again. It is simply — it is a lot. 

The pass judgement on denied Ashley’s movement to brush aside the case. Ashley must stand trial for killing Doug. And that’s the reason when Ashley would inform the jury her model of what came about that night time.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom 2024)  I stated, “I am achieved and you wish to have to go away now.” (crying) … He stated, “you’ll be able to’t f—— depart me.”

ASHLEY BENEFIELD EXPLAINS WHY SHE SHOT DOUG

Probably the most first witnesses at Ashley’s homicide trial used to be Doug’s 23-year-old daughter.

Eva Benefield had lived with Doug and Ashley after they have been newlyweds and noticed firsthand how they interacted.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL  (in courtroom): Did you ever listen your dad at any time yell at her?

EVA BENEFIELD: No.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL : Did you ever see or listen your dad threaten her?

SUZANNE O’DONNELL : Did you ever see or listen your dad get bodily together with her?

EVA BENEFIELD: No

Prosecutors subsequent known as John Sant to the stand. He’s the neighbor Ashley ran to after capturing Doug. His 911 name used to be performed for the jury.

JOHN SANT TO 911: Loosen up honey, relax. (Ashley may also be heard crying within the background) …She’s with me now, slightly disillusioned, the weapon is right here. … She says he attacked her, and she or he shot him.

Prosecutors requested Sant if he had spotted any bruises on Ashley that night time.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL  (in courtroom): At any time right through this interplay with Ashley, did she seem to have any accidents?

JOHN SANT:  No.

The following morning, prosecutors known as Ashley’s mom Alicia Byers to the stand. She swore that Ashley had by no means mentioned together with her main points of the capturing.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL  (in courtroom): To at the present time you might have by no means mentioned it?

ALICIA BYERS: No.

Prosecutor Rebecca Freel discovered that curious.

Rebecca Freel: She by no means stated mama, he beat me … or he used to be coming at me or any of the ones issues … we concept that used to be vital to turn that the one who’s most definitely the nearest to her on the planet used to be blind to the ones issues.

To turn how Ashley behaved when she didn’t get her manner, prosecutors known as Det. Chris Gillum of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Workplace to the stand.

Gillum testified that Ashley as soon as demanded that he arrest Doug in courtroom earlier than a sitting pass judgement on, for contacting her when he used to be no longer intended to. Gillum refused. 

DET. CHRIS GILLUM (in courtroom): … her tone became from the crying to very competitive and she or he stated, “you’ll effing arrest him in entrance of the pass judgement on. And I can you should definitely do it.”

SUZANNE O’DONNELL: And what did you are saying to that? 

DET. CHRIS GILLUM: I stated, “it isn’t going to occur” … She began crying once more and got here out with a remark like um, “I will’t consider you are keen to permit Doug to kill me and the infant.”

The prosecution introduced a video discovered on Doug’s telephone to turn that Ashley used to be by no means terrified of Doug. It used to be taken only one week earlier than the capturing. Doug is recording himself taking part in a recreation with Ashley, her mom and Emerson and they’re all giggling.

However possibly the prosecution’s maximum vital witness used to be scientific examiner Dr. Russell Vega.

DR. RUSSELL VEGA [looking at projection in court]: That is the chest damage to the appropriate facet of the appropriate nipple.

He testified in regards to the two bullets that hit Doug within the leg and chest.

REBECCA FREEL (in courtroom): Would you be so type as to rise up and kinda level to your frame to the place the doorway wound can be?

DR. RUSSELL VEGA (stands and issues to his chest): Indisputably (stands and level to his chest).

As a result of prosecutors say Doug used to be shot within the facet, they theorize that he used to be most likely turning to run away when he noticed Ashley level the gun.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL  (in courtroom): Your honor at the moment, the state rests.

It used to be protection legal professional Neil Taylor’s flip. He known as Ashley to the stand and requested in regards to the occasions she used to be terrified of Doug.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom): … from time to time he would force in point of fact horrifying, yelling and screaming at me and prefer operating up on curbs. One time he virtually hit a tree.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom): He would get in my face. He’d yell at me. He’d come at me like he used to be gonna hit me.

And Ashley stated Doug as soon as punched the circle of relatives canine Sully.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom): … he punched him within the face so laborious that he knocked him out. I believed he had killed him.

At an previous listening to, Doug used to be requested about Sully.

ATTORNEY:  You additionally punched the canine, the day you discharged the firearm?

DOUG BENEFIELD: He jumped up … he is a large canine, and he jumped up in my lap, and yeah, I admit I hit him, I did not hit him like you might hit a punching bag or the rest, however I hit him.

Taylor requested Ashley to inform jurors her model of the night time she shot and killed Doug. Ashley testified that, because the couple packed for his or her transfer to Maryland, Doug changed into agitated as a result of Ashley had insisted Doug get his personal rental.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom): I attempted to switch the topic. I may just see how disillusioned he used to be getting …

Ashley informed jurors that Doug ran into her and driven a field into her facet. She stated he hit her within the face when she attempted to go away. Then, she stated she ran right into a bed room the place Doug adopted her and that’s when she grabbed her within sight .45 caliber gun — one in every of 3 that have been in space.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom): I — I simply held the gun like in entrance of me and I — I stated, prevent, and he like became and he were given into this like virtually like a combating stance. (crying) He began like shifting his palms and his fingers round …

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (in courtroom): He began coming against me after which he lunged at me. (crying) And I simply get started pulling the cause.

NEIL TAYLOR: Inform the women and gents of the jury, why you shot Doug?

ASHLEY BENEFIELD: I used to be scared to dying. (crying) I believed he used to be gonna kill me.

NEIL TAYLOR: As you sit down right here lately, Ashley, how do you are feeling about what came about?

ASHLEY BENEFIELD: Terrible. He is the daddy of my kid. (crying) And sooner or later I’ll have to provide an explanation for all of it to her. (crying)

After a ruin, Ashley returned to the stand. Taylor then produced an outdated textual content from Doug’s earlier spouse Renee. It used to be undated, however Ashley stated she discovered it on an outdated cell phone. He learn aloud what Renee wrote to Doug.

NEIL TAYLOR (in courtroom): reads: “I used to be deeply disillusioned that you simply distorted the reality about who you in point of fact have been once I married you. I beloved you thru studying you were not in point of fact what you pretended to be — you kicking me so laborious on New Yr’s Eve on our honeymoon, since you have been having hassle functioning in positive spaces — you preserving a gun for your head two times in my house …

Matt Tympanick: … whilst you listen that textual content message … it … is helping Ashley Benefield’s case.

Legal protection legal professional Matt Tympanick, who attended and adopted this trial, says he feels that textual content helps Ashley’s rivalry that Doug used to be abusive.

Matt Tympanick: This is not the primary lady he has doubtlessly abused.

Doug’s divorce lawyer Stephanie Murphy says she as soon as requested Doug about that textual content, and he showed Renee had despatched it to him.

Stephanie Murphy: Doug stated that, sure, that they had some struggles and, sure, there used to be an incident right through their … honeymoon, nevertheless it used to be on no account as Renee used to be describing it.

Ashley’s legal professional ended her direct testimony. Ashley now must pass head-to-head with lead prosecutor Suzanne O’Donnell who had a wonder in retailer.

THE DEFENSE PUTS DOUG BENEFIELD ON TRIAL

Ashley Benefield walked again into court docket 6A after a lunch ruin. She’d spent two hours that morning attesting in regards to the alleged abuse by the hands of her husband Doug.

However now, as she took the stand once more.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL (in courtroom): I want to simply get started with a few problems.

It used to be prosecutor Suzanne O’Donnell’s flip. And Ashley admitted Doug by no means bodily abused her earlier than he allegedly hit her the night time of the capturing

SUZANNE O’DONNELL (in courtroom): I want to simply get started with a few problems.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL: Doug Benefield by no means punched you ever, right kind?

ASHLEY BENEFIELD: Um, yeah, I’d say that is right kind.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL: Doug Benefield by no means choked you ever?

ASHLEY BENEFIELD: Uh, no.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL: He by no means kicked you?

ASHLEY BENEFIELD: No.

The prosecutor known as Ashley down from the witness stand to show what came about that night time.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (demonstrating Doug’s actions): I held the gun out in entrance of me and I stated prevent. (Crying) He were given into this, like, combating pose. He like became sideways. And he used to be like shifting round along with his like palms and his fingers. And he began like inching ahead against me.

Suzanne O’Donnell: I believe it is precious in a case like this … that the jury see what her model of occasions is.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL (in courtroom): So, he is status there. He turns to— like this and begins shifting his palms round?

ASHLEY BENEFIELD: No longer like that.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL: Neatly, display me. What used to be he doing?

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (demonstrating Doug’s actions): And, like, I do know he were given like this, I imply, used to be like making, like, combating motions. I do not— I do not know, I am not a fighter, I do not know.

Suzanne O’Donnell: I do not know that it got here off as authentic as she anticipated it to. … We need to have a look at what she stated as opposed to the bodily proof and notice if it fits.

ASHLEY BENEFIELD: And he lunged at me he got here in no time.

SUZANNE O’Donnell: OK, so he lunged, used to be his fist up when he lunged?

ASHLEY BENEFIELD (crying)  I do not have in mind.

The state insists Ashley’s tale did not fit with the scientific examiner’s testimony that Doug used to be shot within the facet. Doug’s cousin Tommie is of the same opinion.

Tommie Benefield: If Doug used to be in point of fact lunging at her the way in which she stated, he would’ve been presenting the entrance of his frame. That is not how he used to be shot.

Stephanie Murphy: She’s the type of one who ultimately believes her personal lies … however … simply because somebody believes what they are pronouncing does not make it true.

However the protection persisted to painting the concept that Doug used to be abusive.

Tommie Benefield They made this all about Doug. They forged Doug within the worst conceivable gentle.

They known as Dr. Jason Quintal, a trauma counselor who labored with the couple within the months earlier than the capturing.

DR. JASON QUINTAL (in courtroom): Doug passed off as somebody who used to be, um, domineering and … from time to time can be tremendous controlling.

NEIL TAYLOR: Did you conclude whether or not there used to be an intimidation factor provide?

DR. JASON QUINTAL: Ashley said that she used to be fearful of Doug.

Home violence skilled Bruce Ferris met with Ashley after the capturing and stated her conduct used to be in step with having suffered abuse. He addressed that video of Ashley, her mom and Doug giggling only a week earlier than she killed him.

Ferris stated sufferers of home violence regularly appease their abusers to stay the peace.

BRUCE FERRIS (in courtroom): We now have all heard the time period strolling on eggshells, they are looking to steer clear of aggression via their spouse as a result of they have got grown to consider there is a danger right here.

Taylor says Ashley used to be handiest pretending to get in conjunction with Doug so he would not hurt her or Emerson.

Jim Axelrod: Are you pronouncing to me that Ashley … used to be like, I’m going to simply type of stay him glad … in order that he does not get violent with me.”

Neil Taylor: That is precisely what I am pronouncing to you. 

SUZANNE O’DONNELL (in courtroom): Home violence is really an actual downside. Those who really feel like they can’t get out. They have got no technique to get out. That’s not this defendant.

However in ultimate arguments, Prosecutor O’Donnell informed the jury Ashley used to be no longer terrified of Doug — no longer the day of the video, and no longer the day she killed him.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL (in courtroom): She didn’t must shoot him. She had an schedule and it labored for what she sought after, and she or he were given what she sought after. … Sole custody of the kid. And that’s the reason homicide. Thanks.

However in his ultimate, Ashley’s lawyer reminded the jury Ashley spent years looking to get government to offer protection to her and Emerson from Doug.

NEIL TAYLOR (in courtroom): She filed grievance after grievance after grievance calling Doug Benefield’s conduct to the eye of the government, with out a outcome.

He insisted Ashley handiest shot Doug as a result of her lifestyles used to be in peril that night time.

NEIL TAYLOR (in courtroom): I have introduced to you the whole lot that I in all probability may just to turn you … what Ashley knew about Doug on the time they happened to turn you that her motion in the usage of fatal pressure used to be cheap. … We are assured you can go back a verdict of no longer accountable on this case.

The jury started deliberating within the afternoon and persisted past due into the night time. After just about seven hours, attorneys, family and friends returned to the court docket to listen to the jury’s choice.

COURT CLERK: The defendant is accountable of manslaughter, a lesser-included offense.

In charge of manslaughter, however no longer second-degree homicide.

Matt Tympanick: Homicide two calls for some more or less intent … Manslaughter does not require that, it is extra of warmth of hobby … The jury’s necessarily pronouncing, we do not assume she pre-planned this, however we additionally do not assume she used to be justified in doing it.

Any conviction that can put Ashley in jail comes as a welcome aid to Doug’s friends and family.

Tommie Benefield: The spotlight of the trial for me for my part used to be listening to the decision learn out loud … The second one-best factor used to be listening to the press of {the handcuffs}.

Eva up to date her fans in regards to the verdict.

EVA BENEFIELD (on TikTok): “My dad were given the justice that he merits.”

She’s hoping in the future to play a job within the lifetime of Emerson, who continues to be being raised via Ashley’s mom Alicia.

Eva Benefield (after the decision): I’m hoping that in the future she’ll develop into a powerful, younger lady and I’m going to have the ability to get to understand her and give an explanation for to her who her father used to be and — and display her all of the footage and movies and simply in point of fact inform her how — how lifestyles will have to had been.

Ashley faces as much as 30 years in jail. State Legal professional Ed Brodsky, who runs the prosecutor’s place of job, says they’ll ask the pass judgement on to condemn her to the utmost.

Ed Brodsky This used to be an instance of somebody that … sought after to take the regulation into her personal fingers. … And that used to be the bridge that she crossed too some distance.

Stephanie Murphy: Because the years have long gone via and the colours fade, you notice that she’s in reality the Black Swan and all the time has been.

In December 2024, Ashley Benefield used to be sentenced to twenty years in jail, adopted via 10 years probation for the capturing dying of Doug Benefield.  

Produced via Paul LaRosa and Dena Goldstein. Richard Barber is the producer-editor.Tamara Weitzman is the improvement manufacturer. gary Iciness, Grayce Arlotta-Berner and Marcus Balsam are the editors. Jordan Kinsey is the sector manufacturer. Elizabeth Caholo is the affiliate manufacturer. Patti Aronofsky is the senior manufacturer. Nancy Kramer is the manager tale editor. Judy Tygard is the manager manufacturer.