'Black Swan' Ashley Benefield denied bond, will remain in prison

BRADENTON, Fla. - A Manatee County judge denied bond for Ashley Benefield as the former professional ballerina appeals her manslaughter conviction in the 2020 shooting death of her estranged husband.

Benefield was sentenced in December 2024 to 20 years in prison in the so-called ‘Black Swan’ case, which made national headlines.

Death of Doug Benefield

The backstory:

The investigation began on Sept. 27, 2020, when 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.

Murder trial, manslaughter conviction and sentence

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.

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.

READ: Bradenton police hope DNA evidence, advancements in technology will help solve 2003 cold case

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.

The judge ultimately sentenced her to 20 years in prison, followed by 10 years probation.

Appeals filed

Ashley Benefield's attorneys 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.

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Bond hearing

Ashley Benefield was back in court on Jan. 23 as her attorneys asked a judge to let her out of prison on bond. Friends of hers showed their support during the hearing.

"If the judge's heart would see it, it would be an honor to be a custodian," said Jana Martin.

Pictured: Ashley Benefield during her bond hearing on Jan. 23, 2025.

The State Attorney’s Office opposed a potential release, as did Doug's cousin, Tommie Benefield.

"It’s almost 90% of the time since the killing she's been out of jail," he told the judge.

"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 on Jan. 23.

What's next:

Ashley Benefield's appeal is still moving through the courts, during which Benefield will continue serving her 20-year sentence.

The Source: This story was written using information from Manatee County court records and previous FOX 13 News reports.

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