In Bradenton, Florida, a former ballerina has received a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty of manslaughter for the fatal shooting of her estranged husband in 2020.
Circuit Judge Matt Whyte delivered the sentence on Tuesday, dismissing a request from Ashley Benefield, 32, for a new trial, which she had based on claims of juror misconduct.

Benefield argued that she shot her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, 58, in self-defense during a confrontation at her residence in the Bradenton area, located roughly 30 miles south of Tampa.
The couple had co-founded the American National Ballet, and Ashley had a background as a dancer.

Although she faced second-degree murder charges, the jury ultimately decided on the lesser charge of manslaughter after deliberating for nearly seven hours back in July. The maximum penalty for manslaughter involving a firearm is 30 years, while a murder conviction could lead to a life sentence.

Prior to announcing the sentence, Judge Whyte denied the defense’s motions for a retrial, which included allegations that a juror had failed to reveal previous experience with domestic violence and that another juror improperly introduced a cellphone into the deliberation process. The judge found these claims to be without merit.

Benefield’s legal representative has indicated that an appeal against both the conviction and the sentence is in the works.