FL - Doug Benefield, 58, shot and killed by estranged wife, Manatee County, 27 Sept 2020

[arielilane]

250 (304)		09/19/2023	Updated Event CRDS on 9/19/2023 0900 AM Judge STEPHEN WHYTE results CANCELLED on 9/19/2023
251 (305)		09/19/2023	Defendant Present with Attorney
252 (306)		09/19/2023	Updated Event CRTRIAL on 10/16/2023 0830 AM Judge STEPHEN WHYTE results CANCELLED on 9/19/2023
253 (307)		09/19/2023	Event CRCM scheduled on 11/29/2023 at 0900 AM, JC - Judge STEPHEN WHYTE presiding. EventID 1573511
254 (308)		09/19/2023	Updated Event CRDS on 9/19/2023 0900 AM Judge STEPHEN WHYTE results CONTINUED on 9/19/2023

​

28: 10/16/2023 at 08:30AM - JURY TRIAL​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW
Result: CANCELLED

​

29: 11/29/2023 at 09:00AM - CASE MANAGEMENT​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW


Search Court Records - Manatee County Clerk

 

[arielilane]

bbm

A former ballerina in Florida had her self-defense claim denied by a judge in a pretrial order issued this week, Law&Crime has learned.

The former model is filing an appeal of the court’s order with the Sunshine State’s Second District Court of Appeal, Law&Crime has learned. On Tuesday, at a hearing, the trial was stayed until Nov. 29. The jury trial was previously slated to begin on Oct. 16.

Judge tosses stand your ground defense by former ballerina who allegedly killed her husband

During a hearing earlier this summer, the local medical examiner said Doug Benefield was most likely facing his wife when she shot him in the chest.

lawandcrime.com

Sep 19th, 2023, 7:41 pm

 

[arielilane]

Case: 2020CF003014AX​

Defendant

ASHLEY CHRISTINA BENEFIELD

​

​

29: 11/21/2023 at 02:30PM - JACS-OTHER MOTION​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW

​

30: 11/29/2023 at 09:00AM - CASE MANAGEMENT​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW

Search Court Records - Manatee County Clerk

 

[arielilane]

Defendant

ASHLEY CHRISTINA BENEFIELD

11/21/2023

Updated Event CRCM on 11/29/2023 0900 AM Judge STEPHEN WHYTE results CANCELLED on 11/21/2023

11/21/2023

Defendant Present by Attorney

11/21/2023

Updated Event JACSOTHERM on 11/21/2023 0230 PM Judge STEPHEN WHYTE results HEARING HELD on 11/21/2023

11/21/2023

Event CRCM scheduled on 1/29/2024 at 0830 AM, JC - Judge STEPHEN WHYTE presiding. EventID 1592871

11/21/2023

MOTION HEARING: REPRESENTED BY NEIL TAYLOR, ESQUIRE STATE REPRESENTED BY SUZANNE ODONNEL HEARING ON MOTION FOR COMPULSORY JUDICIAL NOTICE - DENIED COURT TO PREPARE ORDER JUDGE STEPHEN M. WHYTE ENTERED VIA ICPS

Search Court Records - Manatee County Clerk

 

[arielilane]

Defendant

ASHLEY CHRISTINA BENEFIELD

Case: 2020CF003014AX

​

28: 10/16/2023 at 08:30AM - JURY TRIAL​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW
Result: CANCELLED

​

29: 11/21/2023 at 02:30PM - JACS-OTHER MOTION​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW
Result: HEARING HELD

​

30: 11/29/2023 at 09:00AM - CASE MANAGEMENT​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW
Result: CANCELLED

​

31: 01/29/2024 at 08:30AM - CASE MANAGEMENT​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW

Search Court Records - Manatee County Clerk

 

[arielilane]

While it is unclear if a former ballerina's criminal case will proceed to trial in 2024 as she awaits to hear about her appeal to overturn a circuit court judge's decision to not grant her 'Stand Your Ground' immunity claim, her case could still have significant updates.

An attorney for Ashley Benefield, 31, who was arrested and charged with murder in the second degree with a firearm in November 2020, filed the petition in October asking the court to find that Ashley Benefield is either entitled to immunity from prosecution or quash the trial court's order related to the immunity claim.

3 Sarasota-Manatee legal cases to pay attention to in 2024

They are expected to head to trial or will have major updates.

news.yahoo.com

December 31, 2023

If the appellate court rules in favor of Benefield, the case could either be dismissed or there could be another hearing for the immunity claim. If the appellate court doesn't rule in Benefield's favor, the case could proceed to a trial. As of Dec. 11, a response to the petition for writ of prohibition was filed on Nov. 16 and no further actions have been taken.

 

[arielilane]

Defendant

ASHLEY CHRISTINA BENEFIELD

Case: 2020CF003014AX
MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE WITH A FIREARM

Date	Description

01/02/2024	TRUE COPY ORDER FROM THE DISTRICT COURT - PETITIONER'S PETITION FOR WRIT OF PROHIBITION IS DENIED.	1
		01/02/2024	MOTION TO WITHDRAW PREVIOUS MOTION TO QUASH SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM FOR DEPOSITION IN A CRIMINAL CASE (DATED 12/21/23) AND RENEWED MOTION TO QUASH UNDER DIFFERENT GROUNDS
	01/02/2024	ATTACHMENT TO MOTION TO WITHDRAW PREVIOUS MOTION TO QUASH SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM FOR DEPOSITION	5
		01/09/2024	Defendant Present by Attorney
		01/09/2024	Updated Event JACSOTHERM on 1/9/2024 1000 AM Judge STEPHEN WHYTE results HEARING HELD on 1/9/2024
		01/09/2024	MOTION HEARING: REPRESENTED BY NEIL TAYLOR, ESQUIRE STATE REPRESENTED BY SUZANNE ODONNEL MOTION TO QUASH SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM- COURT TAKES UNDER ADVISEMENT HEARING ON MOTION

Search Court Records - Manatee County Clerk

 

[arielilane]

Case: 2020CF003014AX​

​

Defendant

ASHLEY CHRISTINA BENEFIELD Mailing Address:6561 WATERS EDGE WAY LAKEWOOD RANCH FL 34202 Attorney: NEIL G TAYLOR

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32: 01/29/2024 at 08:30AM - CASE MANAGEMENT​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW
Result: CONTINUED

​

33: 06/25/2024 at 09:00AM - DOCKET SOUNDING​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW

​

34: 07/22/2024 at 08:30AM - JURY TRIAL​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW

Search Court Records - Manatee County Clerk

 

[ilovewings]

Just saw this story on ID-- OMG-- Ashley is one of the most evil female killers I have ever seen.
You have to feels sorry for Doug, but at the same time, you have to wonder why he kept going back to her, despite her lies that he poisoned her --- I hope that after all her appeals are hopefully rejected (she is appealing the judge' rejection of the Stand Your Ground Defense), that she will be convicted at trial. I feel badly for Doug's daughter Eva: Her mother died when she was 9 and then her father married that witch----- and I feel sorry for the child, whose father is dead and whose mother had to relinquish custody, at least temporarily.

 

[arielilane]

@CourtTV

#AshleyBenefield is preparing to face a jury in her upcoming murder trial in July where she's accused of killing her ex-husband, Doug Benefield. The former ballerina claims it was self-defense.
What do YOU think?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1766562099805741511

 

[ilovewings]

@CourtTV

#AshleyBenefield is preparing to face a jury in her upcoming murder trial in July where she's accused of killing her ex-husband, Doug Benefield. The former ballerina claims it was self-defense.
What do YOU think?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1766562099805741511

I think she is evil

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1797570325032698019

 

[arielilane]

Lawyers for Ashley Benefield asked a judge on Monday to exclude from evidence in her second-degree murder trial certain details from her child custody battle with her estranged husband, including a judge’s ruling that called into question her credibility.

...

Presiding Judge Matt Whyte will issue rulings on these and other motions argued today, including a request to prevent prosecutors from showing Benefield’s mugshot to the jury.

...

Full article at link...

Ashley Benefield’s attorneys appear in court for motions hearing

Lawyers for Ashley Benefield asked a judge to exclude certain details from her child custody battle with her estranged husband.

www.courttv.com

Posted at 6:16 PM, June 3, 2024

 

[arielilane]

Case: 2020CF003014AX

State Attorney Case: 20CF027412AM

Defendant

ASHLEY CHRISTINA BENEFIELD

Date	Description

04/23/2024

NOTICE OF HEARING: JUNE 3, 2024, AT 1:30 P.M., - MOTION IN LIMINE TO EXCLUDE THE HONORABLE DIANA MORELAND'S ORAL PRONOUNCEMENT, ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2018, AND INCORPORATED MEMORANDUM OF LAW; MOTION TO EXCLUDE DEFENDANT'S "MUG SHOT" PHOTOGRAPH AND INCORPORATED MEMORANDUM OF LAW; MOTION IN LIMINE TO EXCLUDE ALL RECORDS AND REPORTS OF THE CHILD PROTECTION TEAM OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, MOTION TO SUPPRESS AND INCORPORATED MEMORANDUM OF LAW AND; MOTION IN LIMINE TO EXCLUDE CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND DISCLOSURES OF REPORTER IDENTITY AND INCORPORATED MEMORANDUM OF LAW.

05/06/2024

Updated Event JACSOTHERM on 5/6/2024 0130 PM Judge STEPHEN WHYTE results HEARING HELD on 5/6/2024

05/06/2024

MOTION HEARING: REPRESENTED BY NEIL TAYLOR, ESQUIRE STATE REPRESENTED BY SUZANNE O'DONNELL HEARING ON MOTION FOR PRETRIAL DETERMINATION OF ADMISSABILITY OF SPECIFIC INSTANCE OF VICTIM'S PERTINENT TRAIT OF CHARACTER FOR VIOLENCE AND ABUSE - COURT RESERVES RULING COURT TO PREPARE ORDER JUDGE STEPHEN M. WHYTE ENTERED VIA ICPS

05/31/2024

NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION ON JUNE 25 2024 AT 2:00 PM

06/03/2024

Updated Event JACSMMOT on 6/3/2024 0130 PM Judge STEPHEN WHYTE results HEARING HELD on 6/3/2024

06/03/2024

MOTION HEARING: REPRESENTED BY NEIL TAYLOR, ESQUIRE STATE REPRESENTED BY SUZANNE O'DONNELL AND REBECCA FREEL MOTION IN LIMINE TO EXCLUDE THE HONORABLE DIANA MORELAND'S ORAL PRONOUNCEMENT, ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2018, AND INCORPORATED MEMORANDUM OF LAW-COURT TAKES UNDER ADVISEMENT MOTION IN LIMINE TO EXCLUDE DEFENDANT'S "MUG SHOT" PHOTOGRAPH AND INCORPORATED MEMORANDUM OF LAW-COURT TAKES UNDER ADVISEMENT MOTION IN LIMINE TO EXCLUDE CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND DISCLOSURE OF REPORTER IDENTITY AND INCORPORATED MEMORANDUM OF LAW-COURT TAKES UNDER ADVISEMENT MOTION IN LIMINE TO EXCLUDE ALL RECORDS AND REPORTS OF THE CHILD PROTECTION TEAM OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, MOTION TO SUPRESS AND INCORPORATED MEMORANDUM OF LAW-COURT TAKES UNDER ADVISEMENT JUDGE STEPHEN M WHYTE

34: 06/03/2024 at 01:30PM - JACS-MULTIPLE MOTIONS​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW
Result: HEARING HELD

35: 06/11/2024 at 03:00PM - JACS-OTHER MOTION​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW

36: 06/25/2024 at 09:00AM - DOCKET SOUNDING​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW

37: 07/22/2024 at 08:30AM - JURY TRIAL​

Location: MANATEE COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER
Room: COURTROOM 6-A
Judge: WHYTE, STEPHEN MATHEW


Search Court Records - Manatee County Clerk

 

[Tabulator]

Lawyers for Ashley Benefield asked a judge on Monday to exclude from evidence in her second-degree murder trial certain details from her child custody battle with her estranged husband, including a judge’s ruling that called into question her credibility.

...

Presiding Judge Matt Whyte will issue rulings on these and other motions argued today, including a request to prevent prosecutors from showing Benefield’s mugshot to the jury.

...

Full article at link...

Ashley Benefield’s attorneys appear in court for motions hearing

Lawyers for Ashley Benefield asked a judge to exclude certain details from her child custody battle with her estranged husband.

www.courttv.com

Posted at 6:16 PM, June 3, 2024

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this article from CourtTV. I wasn't aware that a psych eval was done on AB during the custody battle for the young child. Personally, I am really hoping we will get to see that eval during this murder trial - I have a feeling it is not very flattering to the defendant because they are fighting so hard to keep it out!
This woman needs to be in prison! Doug Benefield deserved so much better!

 

[ilovewings]

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this article from CourtTV. I wasn't aware that a psych eval was done on AB during the custody battle for the young child. Personally, I am really hoping we will get to see that eval during this murder trial - I have a feeling it is not very flattering to the defendant because they are fighting so hard to keep it out!
This woman needs to be in prison! Doug Benefield deserved so much better!

Totally agree- she is evil

 

[arielilane]

@LawCrimeNetwork

Prosecutors in the ballerina murder trial filed a motion to compel a discovery request regarding evidence of a witness’s relationship with the defendant, Ashley Benefield, which transitioned from professional to personal after the defendant was no longer the witness’s client.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1806439865900212601

Ashley Benefield Prosecutors Seek to Present Crucial Evidence in Ballerina Murder Case​

Prosecutors in the ballerina murder trial filed a motion to compel a discovery request regarding evidence of a witness’s relationship with the defendant, Ashley Benefield, which transitioned from professional to personal after the defendant was no longer the witness’s client. Barbara Russell then took the stand to introduce herself as a witness in this case as Benefield stayed in her home. Ashley Benefield claims she shot her husband, Doug Benefield, in self-defense after he attacked her. Leading up to Doug’s death, the marriage was filled with disorder as Ashley claimed her husband was abusive and tried to poison her. The former dancer faces a second-degree murder chase in Doug’s death as she pushes the stand-your-ground narrative.

 

[Chelly]

@arielilane Thanks for updates. I've been following on the periphery. Learning that AB had moved in with her psychotherapist was an eye opener. moo

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Judge Stephen Whyte refused to dismiss the charges following a two-day “Stand Your Ground” hearing in July 2023. In his ruling, Judge Whyte wrote that the evidence “proves clearly and convincingly that the defendant is not entitled to court-ordered immunity from criminal prosecution, as she was not justified in using deadly force against the victim on September 27, 2020.”

Despite the ruling, Ashley’s defense filed documents indicating they will be presenting evidence that the defendant suffers from “battered spouse syndrome.” Included on the defense’s witness list, along with expert witnesses, is Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O’Donnell, who is prosecuting the case. O’Donnell declined to press charges against Douglas after Ashley’s earlier claims of abuse.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on July 22

FL v. Ashley Benefield: Black Swan Murder Trial

Ashley Benefield is claiming she was a victim of abuse and was defending herself when she shot and killed her husband, Douglas.

www.courttv.com

 

[arielilane]

-- Jury Selection begins July 22.


Case: 2020CF003014AX Filed: 11/04/2020

State Attorney Case: 20CF027412AM

Defendant

ASHLEY CHRISTINA BENEFIELD

07/11/2024

COURT APPEARANCE RECORD - JURY TRIAL ON 07/22/2024 AT 08:30 AM

Search Court Records - Manatee County Clerk