A former ballerina has been convicted of manslaughter in the 2020 shooting death of her estranged husband in Florida.
A Manatee County jury returned the guilty verdict late Tuesday against Ashley Benefield, according to court records. Originally charged with second-degree murder, the jurors opted for the lesser offense after nearly seven hours of deliberations.
Benefield, 32, claimed she killed her then-58-year-old estranged husband, Doug Benefield, during a September 2020 argument at her mother’s home. She had moved to Florida from South Carolina after leaving him. Authorities state she shot him twice.
As a result of using a firearm in the killing, Benefield now faces up to 30 years in prison. A sentencing date has yet to be determined.
Following the verdict, Circuit Judge Matt Whyte revoked Benefield’s $100,000 bond and ordered her into custody, court documents indicate.
