LIVE: Ballerina Murder Trial — FL v. Ashley Benefield — Day 1

Former ballerina Ashley Benefield is accused of killing her husband, Douglas Benefield, in September 2020. The Florida couple were in the middle of a heated custody battle when Ashley shot Doug. Prosecutors believe Ashley murdered Doug so she could gain full custody of their young daughter, however, Ashley claims she shot Doug in self-defense after months of alleged abuse. The medical examiner does not believe Doug was facing Ashley when she fired off four rounds at him.

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[mschrissymarie]

Calling the witness a creep was out of hand and I’m glad the judge said so himself.

[jennzimmer]

He sounds like such a kind and thoughtful neighbor. He makes me think of my dad, very level headed, calming and caring. Bless him and those like him. ❤

[goose]

I couldn't imagine my father marrying somebody only 10 years older than me and then her trying to parent me as a teenager and her being only 25.

[azfree]

I’m keeping an open mind here but I’m not buying her meek and mild act at all. That look leaves her face as soon as the jury leaves the room every single time.

[bruceevans]

The schoolgirl look doesn't fool anyone.

[katwgaley]

This has nothing to do with the case, but I am always so fascinated by the people who record aka type out every single word they say. I can’t pay attention to ANYTHING for longer than 10 minutes. Very underrated job that takes A LOT of skill!

[ArmorOfGod-qm]

I don’t see any tears even though she’s appearing like she’s crying when hearing her neighbor on phone with police

[brooder]

It would be super helpful if you guys would add chapters

[peace-yvqd]

She looks a lot different from her previous court appearances. No makeup, hair pulled back in a ponytail, dressed like an innocent school girl.

[s.l.]

I do not buy the meek and mild persona

[lynmarie]

I believe Ashley is a Domestic Violence victim. This case was so triggering and difficult for me. I am a survivor of Domestic Violence and from where I stand, it's a woman thing. I cannot tell you the amount of times I called the police on my ex. Never once did the police do anything to help me. Actually, the police never believed me. When he put me in the hospital, and I had to have 3 reconstructive surgeries to repair the damage he did to me... Do you want to know what the police did? They took him to the mental ward of the hospital because he was an Army vet and 'probably had PTSD issues that triggered him to attack me.' I wasn't even allowed to press charges against him.

There is no equality in this country. Men still own us, they still own our children. They are still given custody rights even if they are abusers. Courts place men's /father's rights over the rights of the abused, their ex's and children. They are allowed to do anything they wish to us, and we are only heard and believed once they end our lives...

This verdict was a kick in the face for DV victims. I am appalled at the amount of Domestic Violence victims that have been nasty about Ashley and dismissed her abuse as untrue and unbelievable.

[brittanyfreitag]

Wow, I want to cry for that poor sweet neighbor. What a sweet man.

[fernandaolivares]

I'm sorry but a man who comes back with a new wife without even giving his daughter a head's up less than a year after she lost her mother speaks volumes of his character.

Also I don't know who thinks a melow, kind and mentally stable individual shoots a gun inside the house during an argument or punches animals and holes into the wall when he gets "frustrated"... he sounds highly unstable and dangerous.

[cbrockbishop]

The comments in this chat are proof that you can't trust a jury.

[tiannasmith]

The neighbor is so nice even though dispatch seemed rude at first he was doing their job telling things before they even asked. He is so sweet

[garykidson]

911 Dispatcher to Crime Scene Technician after a 6 month in-house course is absolutely wild!

[carolinagirl]

Wow how her face changes in the presence of the jury i call that fake which is highly concerning.

[rhondaring]

My heart aches for Eve, she lost her mother & her father, and probably Emerson too😔

[kristendavis]

She should have taken a plea. She's going down and in Fl. Prbly for life.

[RichTowsley]

She’s 100% guilty and she knows it. The judge knows it, that’s why they wanted a different judge. She will get life