Ashley Benefield, a former professional ballerina, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of the second-degree murder of her husband, 41-year-old Thomas Benefield. The sentencing occurred in a Florida courtroom where Judge Edward Nicholas acknowledged the tragic circumstances surrounding the case. Ashley Benefield had claimed that she shot her husband in self-defense during a heated argument at their home in 2020. Prosecutors argued that she had planned the murder as they presented evidence indicating that Ashley had researched methods to kill her husband prior to the incident. In addition to her prison sentence, Ashley will serve 10 years of probation upon her release. During the sentencing, she maintained that her actions were in self-defense, stating, ‘I loved my husband. He was my best friend.’ This case has drawn significant media attention due to Ashley’s previous career as a ballerina and the complex nature of the incident. Her attorney expressed plans to appeal the verdict, arguing that Ashley was a victim of her husband’s abusive behavior, a claim which prosecutors disputed. The case is still being examined in the context of domestic violence, as supporters of Ashley believe her testimony about living in fear for her life should be taken into account.
Former Florida Ballerina Ashley Benefield Sentenced to 20 Years for Murder of Husband
