A Florida ballerina is facing a murder trial for the killing of her wealthy GOP donor husband, Douglas Benefield. The incident occurred in September 2020 during a custody battle, where Ashley Benefield, 32, admits to shooting her 59-year-old husband. However, she claims that she did so out of fear for her life after enduring years of abuse.
Benefield’s attorney, Neil Taylor, argued that she was forced to shoot her husband out of self-defense due to the imminent threat she faced. On the other hand, prosecutors allege that Ashley cold-bloodedly killed Doug while he was facing away from her, indicating premeditation on her part.
The marriage between the couple was already on the rocks by the time of the shooting, with police responding to a 911 call at Ashley’s mother’s home in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. Doug was found shot three times in the bedroom, and Ashley claimed that he had attempted to attack her.
Despite the 30-year age gap between them, Doug and Ashley had a whirlwind romance after meeting at a Republican fundraiser in 2016. They married just two weeks later, with Doug supporting Ashley’s dream of starting a ballet company. However, financial issues arose, leading to the collapse of the ballet company and a bitter divorce.
Throughout their tumultuous marriage, Ashley had accused Doug of various forms of abuse, including mistreatment of their dog and attempts to poison her. However, a judge had previously found no evidence to support these claims, suggesting they were fabricated to gain custody of their child.
The trial is expected to last more than two weeks, with both sides presenting their arguments in court. The tragic story of this once-promising couple serves as a cautionary tale of love turned sour, leading to a fatal outcome.
