BRADENTON, Fla. — The criminal trial of Ashley Benefield, a former ballerina charged with the second-degree murder of her estranged husband, is slated to commence next week. The case, which drew widespread attention after being spotlighted on the true crime TV series “48 Hours,” involves complex themes of self-defense under Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law.
32-year-old Benefield, once recognized for her grace on stage and later her work as a bikini model, stands accused in the fatal shooting of 54-year-old Douglas Benefield in September 2020. The incident occurred at her mother’s residence in the Central Park neighborhood of Manatee County, amid a tumultuous divorce and custody battle over their daughter.
In the days leading up to the highly anticipated trial, supporters of Benefield have been visibly active outside the Manatee County Courthouse. Bearing signs and chanting “We stand with Ashley,” they aim to rally public sentiment in her favor. Benefield’s case has stirred notable community and media interest, partly because of her claim that she acted in self-defense when her husband allegedly charged at her.
The courtroom dynamics further intensified as legal arguments were made regarding the applicability of the “stand your ground” defense, which offers immunity to individuals who use force under the fear of imminent harm or death. Last year, the presiding judge, Matt Whyte, had already denied a motion to dismiss the charges based on this defense. Benefield’s legal team is expected to continue leveraging this argument during the trial.
During the pretrial hearings, intense emotions were evident. Benefield’s mother, Alicia Byers, expressed her anguish to reporters gathered outside, portraying her daughter as being persecuted despite acting in self-defense. “How horrible to want to destroy a mother and a daughter, who did not do what they said she did,” Byers lamented.
Previously, court documents revealed distressing details about the couple’s relationship, which began with a whirlwind romance lasting just 13 days and escalated into allegations of abuse. Benefield married Douglas, a widower, four years prior to the tragic incident. The couple had since separated, leading to fraught legal disputes over the custody of their now 6-year-old daughter.
Their daughter, Emerson Benefield, has also been present at the demonstrations, her youthful presence adding poignancy to the calls for support. “I kiss her sometimes and I hug her. It feels like I am standing up for the right thing and I am doing the right thing for her,” she told those gathered.
In a recent development in court, a request by the defense to introduce testimony from a domestic violence expert on battered spouse syndrome was denied, adding another layer of complexity to the legal proceedings.
With jury selection set to begin on Monday, the trial is expected not only to dissect the harrowing details of the couple’s deteriorating relationship but also to scrutinize Florida’s “stand your ground” statute. If convicted, Benefield faces the possibility of a life sentence, placing high stakes on the upcoming legal battle. As the community watches closely, the case promises to be a focal point of legal and social discourse, highlighting the intersections of domestic violence, self-defense laws, and the justice system’s handling of such delicate matters.