Ashley Benefield, who claimed self-defense in estranged husband's killing, found guilty of manslaughter

A former ballerina charged in the fatal shooting of her husband was convicted of manslaughter late Tuesday in Florida, hours after a jury began considering her claim that the shooting four years ago was in self-defense.

A former ballerina charged in the fatal shooting of her husband was convicted of manslaughter late Tuesday in Florida, hours after a jury began considering her claim that the shooting four years ago was in self-defense.

Ashley Benefield, 33, had been charged with second-degree murder, but the panel convicted her of the lesser crime in the killing of Doug Benefield on Sept. 27, 2020.

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 date has not been set for her sentencing.

Benefield testified last week that she feared for her life when she fatally shot her husband during what she described as a terrifying confrontation with him at her home south of Tampa.

Prosecutors challenged her account, saying evidence from the day of the killing did not match her description of the confrontation and accusing her of using “unfounded” allegations of domestic abuse to obtain sole custody of their child.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/black-swan-murder-trial-ashley-benefield-verdict-rcna164411

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