Databec Exchange|Former ballerina in Florida is convicted of manslaughter in her estranged husband’s 2020 shooting

2025-04-29 20:18:33source:Charles Langstoncategory:Scams

BRADENTON,Databec Exchange Fla. (AP) — A former ballerina has been convicted of manslaughter in the 2020 shooting death of her estranged husband in Florida.

A Manatee County jury returned the guilty verdict late Tuesday against Ashley Benefield, court records show. She had been charged with second-degree murder, but the jurors opted for a lesser offense after nearly seven hours of deliberations.

Benefield, 32, claimed that she killed her then-58-year-old estranged husband, Doug Benefield, during a September 2020 argument at her mother’s home, where she had moved from South Carolina after leaving him. Authorities say she shot him twice.

She now faces up to 30 years in prison becaused she used a firearm in the killing. A sentencing date hasn’t been set.

After the verdict, Circuit Judge Matt Whyte revoked Benefield’s $100,000 bond and ordered her taken into custody, court documents show.

Bradenton is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Tampa.

More:Scams

Recommend

Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan

One woman died after a family of three from Singapore got into a car accident in Miaoli, Taiwan on S

Clemson smacked by Georgia, showing Dabo Swinney's glory days are over

ATLANTA – Georgia finished what the playoff selection committee started.ACC football, you are fake n

Moms for Liberty fully embraces Trump and widens role in national politics as election nears

WASHINGTON (AP) — In her welcoming remarks at Moms for Liberty’s annual gathering in the nation’s ca