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Former ballerina Ashley Benefield found guilty of murdering spouse, receives 20-year prison term


Former ballerina Ashley Benefield was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the manslaughter of her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, whom she claimed she shot in self-defense. Judge Mathew Whyte believed she acted under duress but did not offer a reduced sentence. Despite disagreements from Doug’s relatives about her remorse, they found the punishment fair. Benefield described her husband as controlling and abusive in trial testimony, leading to the fatal shooting after fear of her life. Prosecutors alleged the abuse claims were false and that Benefield sought to win a contentious battle with her husband. She had sought injunctions against him for child abuse, which was ongoing at the time of his death. Benefield’s lawyers sought a new trial alleging juror misconduct, pointing to a juror with a custody dispute similar to the defense’s theory. Judge Whyte denied the request, stating no evidence of device use during deliberations and blaming the defense for not asking follow-up questions during jury selection. Ashley Benefield will serve prison time and probation, while the defense’s efforts for a new trial have been denied.

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www.nbcnews.com

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