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

[nodamselindistress]

I am pretty lost in the weeds right now. The jury has been waiting for 45 minutes already, time to get back on track!

 

[nodamselindistress]

Can't the defense attorney just wait on this stuff when it is his turn? why are we getting so bogged down on this during the State's case.

 

[nodamselindistress]

After an hours worth of arguments, we are finally moving on.

 

[Wishbone]

I don't remember watching another trial where so many of the witnesses are subject to being recalled

 

[nodamselindistress]

State calls Dr. Vega as their next witness. Chief Medical Examiner. Here we go!

 

[Izzylizzy]

Sorry but why would the prosecutor want to show that?

I think maybe it is the reverse, she is trying to show that Doug had no reason to doubt AB was fully into the reconciliation plan and moving to MD for a new start.

And AB's lawyer says the messages show AB behaving like the abused one whose mode operandi was to get-on and get along with DB.

There are quite a few angles the jury will have when deliberating this case.

If I was a juror right now I'd be asking myself why would a woman go back with the husband she accused of being violent, of poisoning her and physically and sexually abusing her very young daughter if she actually believed all that to be true?
In other words can AB be believed about anything?

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1816522915837542476

 

[Wishbone]

Of course, the defense is objecting to some of the autopsy photos.

 

[nodamselindistress]

AB looking down while pictures being shown of Doug's body and injuries. Looks like she is trying to work up some tears. I am so jaded.

 

[nodamselindistress]

Oh wow, she was using hollow point bullets.

 

[arielilane]

Thought the 2010 Black Swan movie was outstanding- an all time favorite. jmo

Interesting article, also, jmo

Why are media outlets calling the Ashley Benefield trial the 'Black Swan murder trial'?​

It appears the case was first dubbed the “Black Swan murder trial” after national media outlets, including CBS News and 48 Hours, adopted the nomenclature during the initial reporting of the case.

...

Ashley Benefield case dubbed 'Black Swan murder trial' by media. What does that term mean?

Ashley Benefield, a former ballerina, has been charged with the second-degree murder of her estranged husband. Why is it called the Black Swan trial?

www.heraldtribune.com

July 25, 2024

​

What does the term 'Black Swan' refer to?​

The term "Black Swan" is heavily referenced in Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet "Swan Lake," which was composed in 1875.

The ballet, which debuted at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia, in 1877, weaves together tragedy, romance and magic as it focuses on the love story of Prince Siegfried and the swan princess Odette, who is cursed to spend her days as a swan and nights as a human. The two fall in love, but a sorcerer interferes with the budding romance by casting a spell on his daughter, Odile, to appear as Odette.

...

 

[arielilane]

Defense attorney interrupted Judge Whyte as he is trying to make a ruling.

 

[nodamselindistress]

The State's last witness is Daniel Hausdorf of FDLE, expert in the field of firearm analysis. Believe he is the one who is going to tell us the trajectory of the bullets.

 

[Wishbone]

She had time to deal with 3 safety locks on that weapon in order to shoot him before he could attack her?

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

Wow….. amazement at what I just heard. Question from the state to investigator Hausdorf along the lines of …. ‘and how did you know that was the weapon you had investigated in this case?’ Answer: because it has the identifying, evidence identification number, and my initials that I had placed on it.

I wonder if Canton, MA police, investigators proctor and Bukhenik, and the judge in the Karen Read case might observe this. Such a contrast for evidence collection, testimony, etc. A stark contrast IMO! MOO

 

[nodamselindistress]

State Rests, afternoon break.

 

[Wishbone]

Wow….. amazement at what I just heard. Question from the state to investigator Hausdorf along the lines of …. ‘and how did you know that was the weapon you had investigated in this case?’ Answer: because it has the identifying, evidence identification number, and my initials that I had placed on it.

I wonder if Canton, MA police, investigators proctor and Bukhenik, and the judge in the Karen Read case might observe this. Such a contrast for evidence collection, testimony, etc. A stark contrast IMO! MOO

The difference in the packaging and presentations of the exhibits in this trial are so professional compared to the way things are done in canton. The presentation of DB's shirt compared to JO's shirt makes canton look really sloppy and unprofessional. Canton needs to take some lessons from the way they do things here.

 

[arielilane]

Jury is returning and Judge Whyte will release them for the evening.

 

[nodamselindistress]

This defense atty likes to make things difficult it seems.

 

[arielilane]

Maybe the defendant is not testifying after all? moo