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

[turaj]

So...
Were the charges downgraded as per Prosecution request?

I only follow WS thread.

I was in and out this morning on instructions...seemed that state got what they wanted on those but I too am most curious on charges. Anyone know if lessers are coming in? Also what time are closings if anyone knows.
Thanks.

 

[nodamselindistress]

I had some phone call interruptions so not 100% on this, but pretty sure I heard manslaughter as a lesser included.

12:30 is the time the judge set for everyone to be back in court. I was not clear if closings or jury instructions will be up first.

 

[AugustWest]

I was watching some old coverage of pretrial and saw that Jack O'Keefe a paralegal is NOT allowed to sit at defense table. Is that some special ruling by this judge (he seems to hate defense) or normal protocol in Florida? I seem to remember many staff sitting at the same table as defendant etc. He is very involved in the case and Ashley seems to communicate more with him than Taylor. Wonder if jury just thinks Taylor is really that bad or more as I do that judge seems to really dislike him and his case.

Some courts are more strict than others about non-attorneys being "beyond the bar."

I'm not familiar with Florida rules, but here are the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals' rules:

Courtroom Protocol for Counsel

 

[Weki]

Burglary and false imprisonment by the victim??? What reality are we in?

JMO

 

[nodamselindistress]

I get the false imprisonment with her story about him blocking her from leaving through the front door, but burglary makes no sense to me.

 

[Wishbone]

I get the false imprisonment with her story about him blocking her from leaving through the front door, but burglary makes no sense to me.

It sounds like DB is on trial rather than ab

 

[Kakidoll]

Court tv was just showing her testimony again. I find so she's doing so fake, but those who only have seen her in the courtroom and not other photos etc might believe her. She has a good act going. During the jury instructions earlier I saw her face drop multiple times as she was watching the camera. Smirks and smiles.... State needs to really bring this home.

 

[turaj]

Still no mother in the courtroom for closings?

 

[Wishbone]

 

[nodamselindistress]

Get ready to tap dance Mr. Taylor, lots to overcome!

 

[Wishbone]

excellent closing by state

 

[Wishbone]

I'm not used to seeing objections during a closing argument being sustained. The lies taylor is telling must be too over the top.

 

[nodamselindistress]

Ashley needs to conjure up a few real tears here ....

 

[turaj]

i am behind and just now listening to Taylor. Really...another cold issue?

 

[Wishbone]

Gee, taylor is making DB sound like a beast that needed to be put down according to ab's shrinks and according to taylor because he was so sick. disgusting attorney and client. JMOO

 

[Wishbone]

Poor ab she endured over two hours of testifying. How about Doug enduring eternity? JMOO

 

[Wishbone]

The burglary stipulation that taylor insisted be added to the jury verdict.

 

[Wishbone]

thank you very much for being done.

 

[turaj]

Boy Taylor is bad...lots of blaming the victim which is an approach that could be handled better. He is jumping from witness to witness and all same there...blame DB.

 

[turaj]

people on L and C chat are calling this a rant...I tend to agree....I don't care for her approach