Ashley Benefield, a former ballerina, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on December 2, 2024, after being convicted of manslaughter for the 2020 fatal shooting of her husband, Doug Benefield, during a custody dispute.

Initially charged with second-degree murder, Ashley was ultimately convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter after a jury deliberated for nearly seven hours.

Judge Matthew Whyte acknowledged the differing perspectives on the case but ultimately imposed a 20-year prison sentence, followed by 10 years of probation, along with a mandatory mental health evaluation upon her release.

The shooting incident occurred on September 27, 2020, at their home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, amid a contentious custody battle over their daughter.

During the trial, Ashley claimed self-defense, alleging that Doug had been abusive and had attempted to poison her, while prosecutors argued that her claims were fabricated to gain custody of their daughter.

Despite Ashley's assertions of abuse, investigators found no evidence of physical abuse after the incident, leading to skepticism about her self-defense claims.

Ashley’s defense team sought a new trial, alleging juror misconduct, including a juror's failure to disclose a custody dispute, but these claims were dismissed by the judge.

Judge Whyte rejected the defense's request for a new trial, stating that the claims of juror misconduct lacked merit.

Following the sentencing, Doug's family expressed satisfaction with the verdict, emphasizing the emotional impact of his loss, particularly on his daughter, Eva.

Benefield's attorney announced plans to appeal both the conviction and the sentence, indicating ongoing legal challenges.

Prior to the shooting, Ashley had sought injunctions against Doug, citing his abusive behavior, but these requests were denied by the court.

The case garnered significant media attention and was referred to as the 'Black Swan trial' due to Ashley's background in ballet and the sensational nature of the proceedings.