Miami, Florida – A former ballerina, Ashley Benefield, was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 10 years of probation for the manslaughter of her estranged husband, Doug Benefield. The case, known as the “Black Swan trial,” stemmed from an incident on September 27, 2020, where Ashley shot Doug in their Florida home.
Ashley, 33, claimed self-defense, stating that Doug was abusive and controlling. She testified that previous attempts to seek protection were unsuccessful, as she sought injunctions to prevent Doug from seeing their child due to allegations of abuse. Despite no criminal charges being filed against Doug, the case was ongoing at the time of his death.
During the trial, allegations of juror misconduct surfaced, with defense attorneys challenging two jurors. However, Circuit Court Judge Matthew Whyte dismissed both accusations. Ashley testified that on the day of the shooting, Doug had attacked her, prompting her to defend herself with a gun out of fear for her life.
Prosecutor Suzanne O’Donnell argued that physical evidence contradicted Ashley’s testimony, asserting that the manner in which Doug was shot did not align with self-defense claims. O’Donnell accused Ashley of manipulating the truth in court, claiming that the ultimate goal behind Doug’s death was to secure sole custody of their child.
While Ashley was acquitted of murder, she was convicted of manslaughter, carrying a maximum sentence of 30 years. At the sentencing hearing, she remained stoic as the punishment was handed down. Doug’s relatives expressed satisfaction with the outcome, mentioning that Ashley had shown little remorse throughout the proceedings.
In a victim impact statement, Eva Benefield, Doug’s daughter, voiced her long-awaited opportunity to confront Ashley. She expressed hope that time in prison would serve as a means for Ashley to reflect on her actions. The high-profile case has raised questions about domestic violence, self-defense, and the complexities surrounding legal proceedings in such sensitive matters.