White Man Gets Justice For Killing Black Swan

URL: https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/regional/florida/black-swan-murder-trial-ex-ballerina-ashley-benefield-found-guilty-manslaughter-doug-benefields-killing

'Black Swan' Whitesplains Herself Out of Freedom

Ashley Benefield, 32, was found guilty of manslaughter Tuesday in a Florida county court, landing this privileged white woman in hot water for the 2020 killing of her older husband, Doug Benefield.

The sound was as good as the sight. - Tommie Benefield, cousin of deceased victim

The six-person jury, predominantly female (five women, one man), returned the verdict after seven hours of deliberation, deciding on the lesser offense of manslaughter instead of second-degree murder.

The former ballerina played the "Stand Your Ground" card, common among white women seeking to excuse their violent crimes, but the judge wasn't buying it. Now, this Karen faces up to 30 years in prison.

Dance with the Devil: A May-December Misunion

Ashley and Doug Benefield's relationship was a mess. They met in 2016 and married 13 days later. A 30-year age gap. Red flag, anyone? They founded the "American National Ballet," which flopped harder than their relationship.

Throughout their marriage, there were allegations of domestic abuse, counseling, and legal battles. She even fled to her mom's place in Florida after getting preggers in 2017. Classic boomer, Doug was abusive, volatile, and loved his guns.

Pack Your Bags, Pack Your Problems

On Sept. 27, 2020, Doug came to Ashley's place with a U-Haul, thinking they were moving to Maryland as a family. But Ashley had other plans. An argument escalated, and Doug got physical. She grabbed her gun and fired, protecting herself from her abusive partner.

The prosecution painted a different picture: a cold-blooded killer who wanted to be a single mom and saw murder as the solution. Witnesses: six shots, then Ashley running, gun in hand, sobbing.

Justice for Doug