Ex-Ballerina Ashley Benefield Sentenced to 20 Years for Husband's Murder
Former ballerina Ashley Benefield was sentenced to 20 years in prison for manslaughter after killing her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, in 2020. She claimed self-defense, citing his abusive behavior, but the prosecution argued the shooting was intentional to gain custody of their child. The trial, known as the "Black Swan trial," included allegations of juror misconduct, which were dismissed. Benefield was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter, with Doug's family expressing satisfaction with the sentence.
