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

[nodamselindistress]

Prosecutor seems fed up already with this def atty.

Morning break.

 

[Kakidoll]

Did AB use the Amber Heard special make-up for swelling eyes and cheeks?

that was EXACTLY the first thought i had. AND that she watched that trial and took notes on how to 'act'. And i think this is ALL acting for her.

 

[Tabulator]

Why is the state so weak? Why isn't the prosecutor going after any meaningful answers?

 

[nodamselindistress]

From what I hear the trajectory of the bullets is going to prove that Doug was not advancing towards AB when she shot him. My guess is they are hanging their hats on that evidence?

 

[Derph]

I agree this case seems against AB is pretty weak from what the prosecution has offered in court so far. I'm not getting a whole lot from their witnesses about exactly what happened or how the events of the night unfolded.

 

[nodamselindistress]

Up next is Stephanie Murphy. She was Doug's attorney in the custody battle.

ETA: Doug hired her while AB was still pregnant. The custody battle began before the child was even born!

 

[Wishbone]

I agree this case seems against AB is pretty weak from what the prosecution has offered in court so far. I'm not getting a whole lot from their witnesses about exactly what happened or how the events of the night unfolded.

True, not many facts or much information at all, but we are getting hints of collusion from grandma and the shrink AB lived with. JMO

 

[nodamselindistress]

Hold the fort down fellow sleuthers. I am out for a Dr Apptmt. BBL.

 

[arielilane]

Not sure if I can post the 'we stand with ashley' page (easy to find online), but she sure doesn't look the same in those photos as she does today. I'm thinking also the dark circles and no makeup is part of the 'He poisoned me' defense they will be using. My question is how he poisoned her while pregnant when she wasn't living with him.... and how he continued to even after. They really do NOT want to bring in the Psych report from the custody battle. It must have some interesting info.

Thanks for bringing up the website in support of the defendant. I wondered if there were people/groups advocating for the defendant. I am and have always supported battered women but dont believe the defendant’s claims. She had an agenda. I know all too well how battered women are, unfortunately. moo

 

[Wishbone]

Defense is trying to suppress parts of DB's attorney's testimony(and other witnesses) of what she has said she witnessed or observed. In other words DB's side of things is being limited due to being hearsay. DB doesn't have much of a voice in this trial since he is not here. Anymore, ever again....JMO

 

[arielilane]

Judge Wyth is one of the best judges in the state of FL, I've experienced in a while. Makes the trial bearable. moo

 

[Dotta]

Very interesting read...
(for a newbie to this case, like me)

From 2021

When Doug and Ashley Benefield Started a Ballet Company, It Wasn’t Supposed to End in Death

The Charleston-based evangelicals had much in common: guns, God, Trump. What went wrong, only one of them could say.

www.vanityfair.com

 

[Wishbone]

Defense is basically accusing DB's attorney of giving false evidence. Waiting to see where this goes.

 

[Kittybunny]

Very interesting read...
(for a newbie to this case, like me)

From 2021

When Doug and Ashley Benefield Started a Ballet Company, It Wasn’t Supposed to End in Death

The Charleston-based evangelicals had much in common: guns, God, Trump. What went wrong, only one of them could say.

www.vanityfair.com

Yes, Dotta - that was the article I read that led me to start following the case!

 

[arielilane]

Recess for lunch until 12:30 pm ET

 

[Wishbone]

Jury gets early lunch, back at 12:30

 

[bobbymkii]

Jury gets early lunch, back at 12:30

That's a very early lunch. I hope none of the jurors had too much for breakfast!

 

[arielilane]

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WATCH: Gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Ashley Benefield trial

More testimony is expected in the “Black Swan” murder Wednesday.

www.mysuncoast.com

Updated: 3 hours ago

BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - More testimony is expected in the “Black Swan” murder Wednesday.

Benefield, a former ballerina, is accused of murdering her husband Doug in 2020. The pair were involved in a bitter custody battle over their young daughter. Benefield is using Florida’s Stand Your Ground law and claiming self-defense.

It’s the second day of the trial.

 

[Wishbone]

Impeachment argument in progress relating to DB's attorney.

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson

UPDATE in #AshleyBenefield: Over the lunch break a woman came to a deputy saying she was a reporter, she had info about the case and wanted to meet with the judge. The judge told the deputy that the woman would need to come to court and speak in open court if she had something to say. She said she would not appear in court. That's it.


12:36 PM · Jul 24, 2024