Judge considering bond for 'Black Swan' Ashley Benefield while she appeals conviction
BRADENTON, Fla. - A Manatee County judge will soon decide whether to grant bond for Ashley Benefield while she appeals her manslaughter conviction in the 2020 shooting death of her estranged husband.
The former professional ballerina was sentenced in December to 20 years in prison in the so-called ‘Black Swan’ case, which made national headlines.
Benefield appeared in court on Thursday morning. After hearing testimony and arguments from attorneys on both sides, the judge said he will soon issue a written ruling.

Pictured: Ashley Benefield during her bond hearing on Jan. 23, 2025.
Words of support from her friends brought tears to Ashely Benefield.
"If the judge's heart would see it. it would be a honor to be a custodian," said Jana Martin.
Jana Martin is a friend through a bible study class.
She told Judge Matt Whyte, Ashley should be granted bond and does not pose a flight risk.
"Absolutely never. I believe with all my heart she would be obedient," said Martin.
The State Attorney’s Office opposes a potential release.
"She knows if she loses this appeal she has to turn herself in. She was willing to kill a human being to meet thig goal, there is nothing to prevent her if the appeal doesn’t come in her favor from deciding she won’t present herself," said assistant state attorney Suzanne O’Donnell.
So does Tommie Benefield, Doug’s cousin.
He said Ashley had nearly four years out on bond, before she went to trial.
"It’s almost 90 percent of the time since the killing she's been out of jail," he told the judge.
The case is a heated one.
"You’re a scumbag and a liar," a supporter of Ashley’s said to Tommie Benefield as he finished talking to reporters outside the Manatee County Courthouse.
For Tommie and his family the passage of time will never ease their loss.
"The hardest part is to listen to the lies of Doug. They painted a picture one way, we know him completely differently. They believe Ashely is one way. I personally have seen her differently," he said.
Death of Doug Benefield
The backstory:
On Sept. 27, 2020, Manatee County deputies said Ashley Benefield ran to a neighbor’s home and said she shot her husband in self-defense after he attacked her.
Doug Benefield was found on the floor along with multiple bullet casings. He had been shot twice.

Pictured: Doug and Ashley Benefield
The defense claimed that Ashley Benefield was defending herself from an abusive husband, while prosecutors argued she was doing everything she could to keep their daughter away from him.
The shooting also happened as the pair was packing up to move to Maryland and live separately.
‘Black Swan’ trial and conviction
Big picture view:
Prosecutors charged Ashley Benefield with second-degree murder after her arrest in late 2020.
Benefield stood trial in July 2024, with supporters, friends and her own daughter rallying in support of her.

Pictured: Supporters of Ashley Benefield ahead of her July 2024 trial.
After days of emotional testimony, including Benefield taking the stand in her own defense, a jury took about seven hours to convict her of manslaughter.
Prison sentence
At Ashley Benefield's sentencing hearing in early December, members of Doug’s family, including his adult daughter, spoke in the courtroom.
"Ashley, since the day you shot my father, I only have one question to ask you. Why?" Doug’s daughter, Eva Benefield, said.

Pictured: Eva Benefield in court for Ashley Benefield's sentencing in December 2024.
Ashley’s therapist spoke, as well, saying that she was under extreme duress at the time of the shooting.
"She was in full survival mode, fully believing that her life was in danger," Ashley’s therapist said.

Pictured: Ashley Benefield during her sentencing hearing in December 2024.
The judge ultimately sentenced her to 20 years in prison, followed by 10 years probation.
The appeals
Ashley Benefield's attorneys now claim errors made by the court should not only result in a new trial, but that Ashley should be released from prison during the appeals process.
A previous attempt at an appeal on the grounds of juror misconduct failed.
What's next:
The judge said Thursday that he will soon issue a written ruling on Benefield's bond request.
The Source: This story was written using information from Manatee County court records along with previous FOX 13 reports on the case.
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