Ashley Benefield on trial

Ashley Benefield, a former ballerina, took the stand in her own defense in her murder trial, tearfully recounting the events leading up to the fatal shooting of her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, in September 2020. She claimed that during an argument while packing to move, Doug became violent, hitting her and blocking her escape, which led her to grab a gun in self-defense. The prosecution challenged her narrative, presenting evidence of a seemingly cordial relationship through text messages and testimonies, and questioned her claims of ongoing abuse. The defense is invoking Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law, while the prosecution has highlighted discrepancies in her story and the physical evidence. The case has seen testimonies from various experts, including a medical examiner and a ballistics expert, detailing Doug's injuries and the crime scene.