Ashley Benefield, a ballerina and aspiring model, was put on trial for fatally shooting her husband, Doug Benefield, when her self-defense plea was unsuccessful, she was handed a 20-year prison sentence.
The couple tied the knot shortly after meeting, only being together for 13 days. Despite having a child together, Ashley and Doug’s relationship was turbulent, marked by frequent arguments.
Claiming that Doug was both abusive and unstable, Ashley Benefield decided to move in with her mother as she feared for her safety during her pregnancy. She took steps to keep Doug in the dark about her pregnancy, even withholding information about the baby’s birth from him.
Ashley planned to move out. Doug arrived at Ashley’s home with a U-Haul truck to help pack for a move to Maryland. He believed he would move with the family but intended to live in a separate home.
Ashley claimed that Doug became angry while loading the truck, “body-checked” her twice, struck her hip with the corner of a box, and caused her head to hit a wall. Fearing for her safety, she ran to her bedroom and retrieved a gun.
She alleged that Doug was standing in the doorway and lunged at her. Ashley fired the gun, hitting him twice—once in the leg and once in the chest. The chest wound caused lung damage and severe bleeding. Investigators determined that Doug was not directly facing Ashley at the time of the shooting.
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[Feature Photo Doug and Ashley Benefield/Facebook]
