BRADENTON -- A judge sentences a former ballerina to 20 years in prison, followed by ten years probation, for the killing of her husband.
In July, Ashley Benefield was convicted of manslaughter in the 2020 shooting death of Doug Benefield, in the so-called "Black Swan" case. She claimed self-defense but lost a stand your ground hearing.
His brother Wes asked the judge to give her the maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. He and other family members were admonished when they used their victim impact statements to attack the shooter. Prosecutors say her motive was to keep the victim out of their young daughter's life. Defense attorney Neil Taylor repeated numerous claims that Benefield was a domestic violence survivor and acted in self-defense. He earlier called an expert witness, a Bradenton psychologist, during the sentencing.
The former ballerina has 30 days to file an appeal.
Photo: Canva/ Manatee County Sheriff