Ex-ballerina sentenced to 20 years in Florida for manslaughter in husband’s killing

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — A former Florida ballerina has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following her manslaughter conviction for fatally shooting her estranged husband in 2020.

Manatee County court records show Circuit Judge Matt Whyte imposed the sentence Tuesday on Ashley Benefield, 32, after rejecting her request for a new trial based on allegations of juror misconduct.

Benefield contended that she killed her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, 58, in self-defense during an argument at her house in the Bradenton, Florida, area. Bradenton is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Tampa.

The Benefields were co-founders of the American National Ballet and Ashley Benefield is a former dancer.

She had been charged with second-degree murder, but the jurors opted for a lesser manslaughter offense after nearly seven hours of deliberations in July. The maximum sentence for that crime is 30 years behind bars when a firearm is used, while the murder charge carries a potential life prison term.

Before the sentencing, Whyte rejected defense motions for a new trial based on claims a juror failed to disclose a personal history involving domestic violence and that one juror improperly brought a cellphone into the jury room during deliberations, which the judge found had no merit.

Ashley Benefield’s attorney has said she will appeal the conviction and sentence.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.