In a gripping courtroom scene on Tuesday, Ashley Benefield, known as the ‘Black Swan murderer,’ was seen sobbing as the jury listened to the 911 call from a neighbor made right after she shot her estranged husband.
On September 27, 2020, Ashley, now 32, rushed to her neighbor’s home in Bradenton, Florida, after shooting her husband, Douglas Benefield, 59.
The couple had a whirlwind romance, marrying just 13 days after they met in 2016.
Neighbor Josh Sant recounted the shocking event, saying he was startled by a loud pounding on his door.
When he opened it, Ashley told him that her husband had attacked her, prompting her to shoot him.
Sant immediately called 911, explaining the situation to the dispatcher, as played in court on Tuesday.
Throughout the call, jurors heard Sant trying to calm Ashley, who was visibly emotional during the playback.
Claims and Counterclaims
Ashley, a former ballerina, is now arguing that she acted in self-defense. Her attorneys are portraying Douglas, the father of her daughter, as an abuser.
The couple met at Ben Carson’s home in Palm Beach, Florida, in August 2016, shortly before marrying.
Doug’s daughter from a previous marriage, Eva, described their early relationship as intensely affectionate, with the couple constantly together and displaying public affection.
Marriage Troubles and Legal Battles
Within a year of their marriage, Doug, a retired Naval flight officer, supported Ashley’s dream of starting a ballet company.
However, the company faced legal troubles when dancers and choreographers sued for breach of contract.
The couple’s personal life also took a turn when Ashley became pregnant after Doug reversed his vasectomy.
According to Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O’Donnell, this led Ashley to move back to Florida to live with her mother due to morning sickness, leading to a long-distance relationship.
O’Donnell claims Ashley began accusing Doug of poisoning her and other forms of domestic violence.
However, a five-week investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office found no evidence to support these claims.
A Custody Battle?
Prosecutors argue that the shooting was a desperate attempt by Ashley to secure custody of their young daughter, who was 2 at the time.
O’Donnell suggested that Ashley’s goal was to become a single mother and exclude Doug from her child’s life.
On the day Douglas was killed, he had come to help Ashley and their daughter pack for a move to Maryland. Instead, he was shot four times in Ashley’s bedroom.
Defense Arguments
The defense, led by attorney Neil Taylor, argues that Doug was abusive and controlling.
They claim Doug arrived at Ashley’s home in a volatile state and physically attacked her.
Taylor highlighted Doug’s previous abusive behavior, including firing a gun and tracking Ashley without her consent.
Taylor also mentioned that Ashley left Doug a letter three years before the incident, expressing her fear of him.
The defense intends to present evidence of Ashley’s suffering from ‘battered spouse syndrome,’ claiming her actions were a justified response to Doug’s abuse.
Courtroom Drama and Public Support
Outside the courthouse, supporters of Ashley, including domestic violence survivors and her pastor Mike Brown, rallied in her favor.
Despite the defense’s attempts to delay the trial, Judge Matt Whyte denied the motion, stating that the legal team had ample time to prepare.
The defense had previously sought to have the charges dropped, but Whyte ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed. If found guilty, Ashley faces a minimum of 25 years to life in prison.
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