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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Her attorney should’ve done a better job at convincing her not to take the stand but I’m so happy she did. She is sooo fake, Amber Heard level of fake. She should’ve gotten 1st degree. I’m so sorry for Eva. RIP Doug.
Ashley cross examined, I’ve watched multiple times simply because her acting skills are so terrible it’s actually unbelievable.
I'm curious, does anyone know who the other people sitting in the courtroom are? I know Eva and Tommy are there but other people, I wonder who they are – friends, family?
I don't know how tall Ashley is but it very noticeable that she is taller than a lot of men attending this trial. She scours over her attorney for sure.
I don't like when people falsify their reasoning for murdering someone is because of previous DV. I don't believe that she was DV but realized that Doug was not going to take her side from her daughter. There probably a hate against men that the mom and Ashley have shared because the dad left them and probably had no relationship because he was gone all the time and then started a new family.
I hope she get sentenced to the hilt for the verdict of manslaughter.
It was hard to listen to defense's closing arguments because it was so many trying to twist what was actually testified to and putting Doug on trial.
Jury was sounding a little lazy because they not reading testimony themselves questioned by defense and prosecutors to come to their own conclusion.
Even though I think she guilty of premeditated murder, I still have empathy of her carelessly coming up with a plan to murder someone and waiting for 6 strangers to tell us her fate.
That child would of had a dad that was there for her because it might not be that he was chasing Ashley as a solo item but also his daughter. It doesn't seem like he was out on dating site trying to find someone, but Ashley was probably looking for a hook up under Trump associates that could come from money and Doug was not prepared for those type of crazy women. It the in thing for parent to live very close by to have daily involvement with their children. Some even living in same home and sharing responsibilities and expenses.
It sad he did not listen to his attorney and now he been blasted off the timeline and Emmerson is going to be raised by the same looney that brought up Ashley, she don't have a chance because her mom will eventually get out.
I don't get it… the verdict was not given, and the verdict clock is still running at the end of the video?
Not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that she is guilty of second degree murder.
He’s the most thorough judge I’ve watched in a long time. He instructs the jurors very well, he equally wants to make sure this is a fair and accurate trial. I watch some trials and the jurors seem to be so confused on what to do and where to go. I wish all judges would be this thorough with intructing jurors throughout the Whole trial!😊
AB's blank demeanor and grossly entitled thinking reminds me of Elizabeth Johnson.
This definitely was not manslaughter, it wasn’t even 2nd degree murder. She planned to murder Doug, she set it up,she went to her bedroom, retrieved the gun that was so conveniently accessible,then she lured him into the room and murdered him in cold blood. She needed Doug out of her life, she didn’t want to have to deal with him anymore. He served his purpose when she got pregnant. After that, she was done with him. No more visitation hand offs for the next 18 years, no more having to deal with him in her life at all…no more Doug….problem solved.
Only in ohio
Some of the worst “lawyering” I have seen on both sides. Is this typical in the Florida area? Or just for this case. Both state and defense were unorganized and weak in my opinion.
It would be great if law and crime could name the people they’re zooming in on. Use the stream on bottom!
Murder is Murder no one is perfect but she never was abused drastically to take his life. Let's say if it were true file poile reports or that day he he hit her go outside and and yell or ask for help..her actions are those of a narcissistic woman who didn't want want she though she did. so why don't i get rid of him and take the kid.the true victim is him and the daughter.
She is a murderer, what a piece of work. She deserves life in prison.
Why did she, Ashley keep his name but she didn’t even give his last name, to his daughter?!
I love the grandma sweater and outfit really fits her well…FAKE MANIPULATIVE just like her!! 😂👏 Nice job Ashley you played yourself 🤣
I feel so deeply sad for his daughter, that has lost her mother and now her father.
This spoilt little posh Ballet woman needs Prison
Ballet spoilt little brat.
Going to prison for poor Ninja Skills
She better start eating some food
It also didn't help that Ashley dressed like a helpless frail school girl. Look how she dressed up in court last year-she had makeup on, hair done, stayed alert and poised. Even the way she presented herself was manipulative.
If she had a lawyer like Alan Jackson she'd probably been found not guilty.
Have fun in jail, Ashley
There is another aspect in this case which is totally ignored. The dangerous concept of holding guns for self defense in private homes.
In Germany e.g. guns must stored in a locked storage and separated from the ammunition. Escalations like these are therefore very rare.
This concept of weaponizing households for self defense has failed but nothing is done against.
He abused his wife and dog wtf he never cared about his daughter so that shows what a man he was. Ashley defended herself and should not be guilty!
Ashely was 24 years old when she fell for Doug’s charm & wealth. He was 30 yrs her senior, with a privilege teenage daughter, only 9 years younger than Ashley. It was a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately, there are no winners in this verdict. This tragedy left Emerson without really knowing his parents.
Doug has a beautiful daughter, i hope she will be okay 🙏
Verdict is BS
He pointed to his side while he was describing the chest, wow
I do things over and over again or say things in my relationship and that’s don’t make me an abuser
He want to be closer to his daughter where she is taking her away from him.
She may not forget the gun shot in the ceiling and the other stuff, but she used it when she feel that she want to get away from him with his kid and that’s what she did.
But they was getting along, only she was the only one wanted the child all by herself and isn’t she had a ring from another man in her life too? She is guilty and the verdict is correct
Opening statements is not evidence the judge said
the live got cut off on upload, you're missing a few hours of video that was shown live, but is now missing on the live archive
Her lying eyes were blinking faster than an a-hole in an avalanche
GUILTY… LOL. Told ya. Prison for her
I don't think it helped Ashley that her baseline or by design affect is stone faced, emotionless, no eye contact, tearless cries…but think she is in fact guilty.