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

2025-05-03 18:29:53source:Rekubit Exchangecategory:Scams

BRADENTON,Novacrypt 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

Back trouble and brain fog bothered suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing, his posts show

After Luigi Mangionemade the difficult decision to undergo spinal surgery last year for chronic back

Lawyer for man charged with killing 4 University of Idaho students wants trial moved to Boise

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Lawyers for the man accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho studen

Keanu Reeves Shares Why He Thinks About Death All the Time

Keanu Reeves always has an eye towards the future.The Matrix star recently shared that as he's start