BREAKING: Ashley Benefield found GUILTY in 'Black Swan murder trial' | LiveNOW from FOX

A Florida former ballerina Ashley Benefield was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of her husband, Doug Benefield.

The jury's late night verdict on a lesser charge came after about seven hours of deliberations.

Benefield was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her estranged husband, Doug, in 2020. Benefield argued she shot him in self-defense.

During closing arguments, Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O'Donnell challenged Benefield's claim, using her recorded actions to show Doug did not physically abuse her until Sept. 27, 2020, the day of the shooting.

Ashley testified in her defense last week, saying Doug became upset after noticing their items were mixed together, eventually hitting her as they argued.

That's when Ashley said she ran into her room and armed herself with a gun, at which point she claimed Doug followed her and she feared for her life as she opened fire.

No sentencing date has been set.

In Florida, manslaughter carries a 15-year maximum prison sentence. She would have faced 25 years to life behind bars if she had been convicted of second-degree murder.

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[kerifitz]

My heart really goes out to the two daughters. They are the ones most impacted and devastated by this tragedy.

[American.Patriot]

She got away with first degree murder. Huge miscarriage of justice IMO.

[romeosaintsmusic]

I hope Doug’s family can find a sense of peace ❤️

[joycepayne]

Good job. Jury got it right. Send Ashley away for years.

[virginiaswanson]

Now she needs to have her daughter placed with Doug’s family and all is right

[Adonnya]

The fake crying, dry sniffles, old grandma outfits and the whole cringe acting on the stand was all for nothing!! Guilty 💯!! RIP Doug and justice for the family. I hope she gets the full 30 years!!

[bethh]

She really thought that she would get away with this!

[cueball]

None of you read the description? The max penalty she is facing is only 15 years. Despicable to only get her for manslaughter.

[jasl]

That poor child lost both her parents. 😢

[wandamanigo]

I knew she was GUILTY, She looked stoic through out the Trial, Thank God she was found GUILTY because she is. I Thank the Prosecuters for doing an Awesome and Amazing Job, God Bless Doug's older Daughter and her Family, Justice was Served. ❤

[go]

she looked like it was planned before she married him. all over money. my goodness. just separate from the relationship. Stop using excuses. stop the killing for money, custody and divorce. stop it.

[Jan_-_-]

I don’t think this was manslaughter but at least she was found guilty

[dianahernandez]

Should have been 2nd degree. She lured him there to murder him

[williamloree]

What a con artist - she even waited till he helped her move her belongs to the U-Haul truck before she killed him. She still has to go before God for the planned murder of her husband.

[treecewhit]

I had a hard time believing her to be innocent. It takes a lot to have that gun in the ready and then to pick it up, aim, and shoot. I think he saw that gun aimed at him and was trying to get away. She had him help move? Was afraid of him? I didn't buy that.

[erinpaton]

They should have convicted her on second degree murder and NOT manslaughter! This was partial justice but at least she will serve some time and hopefully she is sentenced to the maximum amount of time.

[Christin]

was it ever checked if Doug was even the father of the child she had?

[sharonmashatt]

How can she ever live with herself. She killed a man, traumatized and made a young girl an orphan. There’s no excuse.

[rjs]

5 women and one man on the jury ?
Bet she thought she was golden.

[ChampagneDrae]

I see women taking up for this woman stop it. She lied about her intentions, she was wrong and need to be held accountable for her actions period. Let’s be glad justice system worked for these people.