LIVE: Ballerina Murder Trial — FL v. Ashley Benefield — Day 3

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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[BarbaraCostabile]

I don’t know how this judge is not losing his mind. His patience is way beyond what could be expected.

[MVfortni]

I love this channel - they are amazing at covering live court cases with accuracy and professionalism

[janelle]

Media needs to do better before we all get kicked out of these trials.

[jenniferanderson]

Moral of this story, get a lawyer that doesn’t drive the jury crazy!

[f.danielporter]

It appears he walked into an ambush by her. The text messages give a lot of insight into who they are in the personal beliefs. Listening to the DET about her comments about her keeping her child from him at all costs, along with the set up to make him believe he’s walking into cordial environment, he was completely unaware as to what she had planned to do. What a tragedy for him and for the little girl. I wonder if the jury will see the entirety of her thoughts, beliefs, actions and ultimately her shooting him. This is a case that you need to look at the entirety of the matter. Of course, at this point we haven’t heard from the Defense but so far, it appears this was a cold blooded premeditated murder.

[sherireedy]

I absolutely love this judge!! Very thorough and has handled everything perfectly!!!! Very cognizant of every witness and juror!!!

[cyndifromVA]

the chat proves that many people should never serve on a jury

[kgoodick]

100% guilty. She just wanted a baby. Never named him as the father, never gave Emerson his name, and when he wanted a “relationship” he had to go at all costs… she shot him. Even the ME said the bullets were of him fleeing.

[eznbcbo]

She looks busted when Medical Examiner was describing the trajectory of the bullets.

[florenceglenn]

Defense you have NO FRIGGIN CLUE as to what an abused person feels, I see nothing to prove Ashley is abused, but instead how she gaslighted him

[cdelane]

Those texts don't sound like a abusive husband or father. Sounds like one that wants to be with his wife and daughter. The only proof of abuse is what she says. No arrest all the cases went nowhere. He really should've listened to his attorney about A.B. setting him up.

[goose]

18:43
The way she changes from smiling to sulking is so wild...

[deemcnalley]

I honestly think it is unfair to the jury that they have not been able to hear evidence of the victims prior violence. IMO his past violence goes to her state of mind at the time of shooting. I.e. if i had watched my husband punch the dog so hard as to render him unconscious etc, all things he admitted to, it would probably make me fear for myself and child.

[serenalee]

Listening to the texts between Ashley and Doug prior to the murder, it's clear Doug was bending over backwards to give Ashley space while trying to placate her. And she's playing him the entire time.

[shawnafisher]

Anyone else find the lack of emotion from the mother to be extremely odd?

[sandrablosser]

I am wondering what reporter Taylor paid off to get a lawyer to write the letter.

[magicalcat]

There are so many objections that they are distracting. I think many of these issues could have been settled in pre-trial discussions.

[janinekeyser]

For someone who was afraid she sure kept inviting him over/in (?)

[Annettespetessentials]

Seems strange to me that everything is packed up except for a mattress and a gun, a fully loaded gun. Who is going to keep a gun that is fully loaded with a toddler there in the home and in a home that is pretty much empty.

[annlarson]

Ashley Benefield is doing her best to put on an expression of “I am such a victim”