In a series of testimonies on Wednesday, key witnesses provided detailed accounts surrounding the events leading to the fatal shooting of Doug Benefield. The court heard from law enforcement officials, Doug’s family attorney, and those close to Ashley Benefield, painting a complex picture of the couple’s turbulent relationship.
In 2017, Ashley Benefield moved to Bradenton, Florida, to live with her mother, Alicia Byers. At the time, she was pregnant with Doug’s child. In March 2018, Doug retained family attorney Stephanie Murphy to facilitate communication regarding his involvement in their child's birth. Murphy testified, “Initially, the purpose of hiring me was to draft a letter to Ashley, who was pregnant with their child at the time. The purpose of the letter was to open the door for discussion about Doug’s participation in the upcoming birth of their child, but also to advise that if she did not feel comfortable with him being present at the birth, he was respecting her need for space.”
Despite Murphy's efforts, Ashley did not respond, and she was induced the day after the letter was sent. Doug was unaware his daughter was born until five to six weeks later. Following this, Ashley began filing complaints against Doug, alleging domestic violence and poisoning, but an injunction was not granted. Doug eventually met his daughter when she was six months old under a court-granted parenting plan. Murphy recounted the surprising turn of events during this visitation, “Ashley decided to go with Doug for the visitation, which came as a surprise. I cautioned Doug, advising against it, but he chose to proceed.”
This initial meeting was followed by about 11 months of relative peace between the couple. However, tensions resurfaced as Doug filed for divorce, and Ashley made further complaints, including another injunction filing. A psychological evaluation for both parties was scheduled to be discussed in a hearing set for September 30, 2020. Tragically, Doug was killed three days before the hearing.
Ashley’s defense attorney, Neil Taylor, argued that she acted in self-defense. “The reason my client shot her husband was out of fear for her life. On September 27, threats and intimidation turned to physical violence, and she was forced to defend her life,” Taylor stated.
Prosecutors, however, portrayed a different motive. Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O’Donnell argued, “This was a custody battle that this mother was going to win at all costs, and the cost was the life of Doug Benefield.”
Among the testimonies was Chris Gillum, a domestic violence investigator with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. He highlighted a statement by Ashley years before the shooting that raised concerns after Doug’s death. “She let out like a screech or a high-pitched scream and she says, ‘I will do whatever I have to do to keep my baby you [expletive],’” Gillum testified.
Gillum, who had recently passed a South Carolina injunction violation case reported by Ashley to the State Attorney’s Office, mentioned that the statement initially did not seem like a direct threat. “At that point, it was just not relevant for my case. There was no reason, but circumstances had changed. I thought that was information that needed to be heard,” he explained.
As the trial continues, the testimonies highlight the deeply troubled relationship between Doug and Ashley Benefield, with the legal battles and personal conflicts leading up to the tragic shooting being meticulously scrutinized in court.
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