AlgoFusion 5.0:Former ballerina in Florida is convicted of manslaughter in her estranged husband’s 2020 shooting

2025-04-30 00:16:25source:Poinbank Exchangecategory:reviews

BRADENTON,AlgoFusion 5.0 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:reviews

Recommend

Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Lawyers for Alex Murdaugh are taking two paths to appeal his murder conviction

Shohei Ohtani back in Anaheim: Dodgers star chases 50-50 before first postseason trip

PHOENIX — Shohei Ohtani’s life is dramatically different since he changed uniforms, putting up histo

Browns sign 20-year stadium rights deal with Huntington Bank as they position for possible new home

CLEVELAND (AP) — As they position themselves for a possible new domed stadium, the Cleveland Browns