Skip to content 
Ashley Benefield, a former ballerina, is at the center of a high-profile murder trial in Florida, accused of killing her husband, Douglas Benefield, in what she claims was self-defense. The incident occurred on September 27, 2020, in her Bradenton, Florida, home. According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Ashley shot Douglas twice, with investigators concluding that the trajectory of the bullets suggested he was not in a defensive or combative position when the shooting occurred.
Their Rocky Relationship
The relationship between Ashley Benefield and Doug Benefield was tumultuous and ultimately ended in tragedy. The couple’s story began in 2016 when they married after knowing each other for less than two weeks. At the time, Ashley was 24, and Doug, a widower grieving the loss of his first wife, was 54. The significant age difference and their whirlwind marriage set the stage for a complicated union.
Tensions Started To Rise
Tensions arose early in their relationship, particularly between Ashley and Doug’s teenage daughter from his first marriage. The couple’s shared ambition to start a ballet company also failed, adding financial and emotional strain. Ashley accused Doug of poisoning his first wife and later claimed he was attempting to poison her as well. However, these allegations were investigated, and no evidence was found to support them.
The Company They Tried To Build
Ashley and Doug Benefield founded the American National Ballet (ANB) in 2017 with ambitious plans to revolutionize the ballet world. Their vision was to create a ballet company that embraced racial diversity and broke traditional norms of body type and appearance in dance. They aimed to provide opportunities for dancers who had faced rejection due to their height, weight, or other non-conventional characteristics, promoting inclusivity in an industry often criticized for its rigid standards.
Ashley Abandon The Company
The couple recruited a diverse group of dancers from around the world, promising them stability with yearlong contracts, health insurance, and even housing. However, behind the scenes, issues plagued the company. While ANB announced a robust $2.5 million annual budget, it reportedly never secured the necessary funding.
Logistical problems, such as incomplete rehearsal studios and vague performance schedules, raised concerns among the dancers. Ashley, the artistic director and a key figure in the company’s vision, was notably absent from the first day of rehearsals, having relocated to Florida.
Ashley Publicly Distance Herself From The Company
Within weeks, the company began to unravel. In October 2017, nearly half the dancers were abruptly let go. Rumors of mismanagement and financial instability swirled as Doug and Ashley struggled to maintain the façade of a functional organization. Payments to dancers were sometimes made in cash, further eroding trust. The chaos led to Ashley publicly disavowing ANB’s leadership on social media, marking a dramatic split from the project she had once championed.
She Later Became Pregnant
Ashley Benefield’s decision to move back in with her mother marked a significant turning point in her tumultuous relationship with Doug Benefield. This move occurred during her pregnancy, a period of intense strain and uncertainty for the couple.
Ashley returned to her mother’s home in Florida because she grew increasingly concerned about Doug’s behavior, which she alleged had become more erratic and abusive over time. She claimed Doug was violent, citing incidents such as him punching a hole in the wall and discharging a firearm indoors. These events, coupled with her physical challenges during pregnancy, pushed Ashley to seek refuge in a familiar and supportive environment.
She Accuses Doug Of Poisoning Her
While Doug stayed behind to manage the failing company, Ashley focused on her health and preparing for the arrival of their child. However, her time with her mother was not without its challenges. Ashley alleged that Doug was poisoning her, a claim she later supported with dubious forensic reports of heavy metal toxins in her system. Despite the lack of credible evidence, these allegations deepened the rift between the couple.
She Prepared For A Custody Battle
Living with her mother, Ashley began legal proceedings to restrict Doug’s access to their child, further intensifying their conflict. This move not only signaled the breakdown of their marriage but also set the stage for a contentious custody battle. Her mother’s home became a stronghold where Ashley could regroup and pursue her claims against Doug, ultimately severing ties with him.
This period of separation highlighted the growing animosity between Ashley and Doug. While Ashley sought solace and safety under her mother’s care, Doug viewed her move as a betrayal, igniting a legal and emotional battle that would culminate in tragedy. The move was emblematic of Ashley’s attempt to reclaim control over her life and protect her unborn child, though it also deepened the fractures in her already fragile marriage.
They Both Decide To Move To Maryland
Ashley and Doug Benefield’s plan to move to Maryland in 2020 represented an attempt to reset their tumultuous relationship and co-parent their daughter, Emerson, in a fresh environment. Maryland held personal significance for Ashley, as it was where she grew up and first cultivated her passion for ballet. The move was framed as a way to leave behind the emotional and legal turmoil that had defined their marriage in Florida and South Carolina.
Despite agreeing to the relocation, their plan was fraught with tension. Emails and communications between the couple revealed Doug’s lingering distrust of Ashley, despite his apparent optimism about reconciling. The move symbolized Doug’s hope for repairing their fractured family life, though Ashley’s motives were less clear. By this time, their relationship had faced numerous allegations, including Ashley’s claims of abuse and poisoning. However, the courts dismissed these accusations due to a lack of credible evidence.
A Moving Truck Was Rented
Preparations for the move were underway in September 2020. Doug rented a moving truck and arrived at Ashley’s mother’s home in Florida to pack their belongings for the journey north. However, their fraught relationship came to a tragic climax on the evening of September 27, 2020.
The Day Of The Shooting
The day of the shooting, September 27, 2020, was intended to be a pivotal moment for Ashley and Doug Benefield as they prepared to move to Maryland with their young daughter, Emerson. Instead, it became a tragic day that marked the end of Doug’s life and the unraveling of their contentious relationship.
A Neighbor Called 911
The details of what transpired that evening remain disputed, but police and court records provide a chilling account. At approximately 7 p.m., a neighbor called 911 after Ashley appeared at their door, visibly distressed and holding a gun. She claimed Doug had attacked her, and she had acted in self-defense.
Inside the house, officers discovered Doug in Ashley’s bedroom, bleeding from gunshot wounds to his leg and arm; the second bullet had traveled into his chest cavity. Although he was still alive when they found him, he was unresponsive and passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Doug Was Discovered To Be Unarmed
Investigators concluded that Doug was unarmed and had not taken a defensive or combative stance during the shooting. Furthermore, the trajectory of the bullets indicated that he was turning away from Ashley when she fired, which significantly undermined her claim of self-defense. There were no signs of a struggle, and Ashley’s injuries were minimal—a small scratch that appeared unrelated to the confrontation.
The Trial Of The Black Swan
The trial of Ashley Benefield was a dramatic and highly publicized case, as it sought to unravel the motivations behind her fatal shooting of her husband, Doug Benefield, in 2020. The defense and the prosecution presented starkly contrasting narratives, each framing Ashley’s actions in a vastly different light.
The Defense Argued Self- Defense
The defense argued that Ashley acted in self-defense, portraying her as a victim of an abusive marriage. They claimed that Doug had a history of violent and controlling behavior, citing her allegations that he had thrown guns, punched walls, and engaged in erratic outbursts. Ashley testified that she feared for her life during the confrontation on the day of the shooting. Her attorneys emphasized her claims of domestic abuse, attempting to cast doubt on Doug’s character and suggesting that his aggression culminated in the incident that led to his death. They also leaned on Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law to justify her actions, arguing that she was defending herself against an immediate threat.
The Prosecution Argue Premeditation And Manipulation
The prosecution, on the other hand, painted a picture of calculated malice. They argued that Ashley fabricated stories of abuse and poisoning to manipulate the legal system and keep Doug away from their daughter.
Prosecutors highlighted evidence showing that Doug was not in a combative stance when Ashley shot him; they emphasized that the wounds suggested he was turning away from her at the time. Additionally, they pointed out Ashley’s lack of visible injuries, which further weakened her claims of being attacked. The prosecution portrayed Ashley as a cunning individual who used the claim of self-defense as a pretext for murder, motivated by a desire to gain sole custody of their child.
The Jury Convicted Her Of Manslaughter
Ashley Benefield’s conviction and sentencing marked the culmination of a complex and emotionally charged legal battle. In July 2024, a jury convicted her of manslaughter with a firearm for the shooting death of her husband, Doug Benefield. This conviction came after the prosecution and defense presented starkly opposing narratives about her motivations and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Jury Rejected Second-Degree Murder
The prosecution sought a conviction for second-degree murder, arguing that Ashley acted with malice and intent to kill. They portrayed her as a manipulative individual who used claims of abuse and poisoning to control Doug and keep him away from their daughter. However, the jury rejected this higher charge, signaling that they did not find sufficient evidence of premeditation. Instead, the manslaughter verdict suggested the jury believed Ashley acted recklessly and without justification, though not with calculated intent.
Ashley Is Sentenced To Prison
The sentencing phase further underscored the case’s gravity. On December 3, 2024, Ashley was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation. This sentence reflected the seriousness of the crime, as manslaughter with a firearm carries a mandatory minimum sentence under Florida law. Ashley’s attorneys attempted to challenge the conviction, citing alleged juror misconduct, but the court denied their motion for a retrial.
Need Help? Call Us Now!
Do not forget that when you or anyone you know is facing a criminal charge, you have us, the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, by your side to help you build the best defense case for you. We will work and be in your best interest for you and we will obtain the best possible outcome that can benefit you.
Our team is here to explain your trial, guiding you through the criminal justice process with clarity and support every step of the way. If you’re navigating the complexities of criminal charges and the court system seems daunting, reach out.
Therefore, do not hesitate to call us if you find yourself or someone you know that is facing criminal charges unsure about the court system. We will work with you to give you the best type of defense that can help you solve your case. It is vital to have someone explain the result of the charge to you and guide you in the best possible way.
Here at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, our professional and knowledgeable criminal law attorneys build a defense case that suits your needs, aiming for the best possible outcome to benefit you.
At the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, we offer a free consultation at your convenience. You can schedule your appointment via Zoom, Google Meet, email, or in person. We provide comprehensive advice and information to help you achieve the best possible result in your case.
Call us now at (281) 810-9760.
Other Related Article
How to File for Child Support If Father Is in Jail
Comparing Adultery Laws in Texas to Other States
A Toxic Relationship Ends With A Urgent Manhunt
FAQ: The Case of Ashley Benefield
Ashley Benefield was initially charged with second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of her husband, Doug Benefield.
Ashley’s defense argued that she acted in self-defense, citing allegations of abuse and claiming she feared for her life during the confrontation.
The prosecution claimed that Ashley fabricated abuse allegations and acted out of malice to prevent Doug from having access to their daughter, suggesting premeditation in her actions.
The jury convicted Ashley of manslaughter with a firearm, rejecting the higher charge of second-degree murder.
Ashley Benefield was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation.
