Former ballerina found guilty of manslaughter in 'Black Swan Murder' trial

A former ballerina at the centre of the high-profile “Black Swan Murder” case has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Ashley Benefield, 33, was found guilty by a Manatee County, Florida, jury Tuesday night.

The manslaughter conviction is a reduction from the second-degree murder charge Benefield originally faced after her husband died in 2020.

FORMER FLORIDA BALLERINA USES 'STAND YOUR GROUND' DEFENSE IN HOPES TO FIGHT HUSBAND'S MURDER

Ashley Benefield, 31, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after fatally shooting her husband, Doug Benefield, in their Florida home in 2020. Benefield alleged her husband hit her during a domestic dispute. (Facebook)

Benefield has claimed she killed Doug Benefield in self-defense. Her attorneys filed a motion last year, saying she opened fire on the Navy veteran after ordering him to leave her home, alleging he refused and punched her in the face.

The case invokes what is known as Florida law “Stand Your Ground” Actwhich states that a person does not have to retreat before using deadly force to prevent death, serious injury and certain crimes.

Ashley and Doug were living in Charleston, South Carolina, when Ashley became pregnant and moved to Florida to live with her mother. After the child was born, Doug joined her in the Sunshine State, but they did not live together.

FORMER FLORIDA BALLET DANCER CHARGED WITH MURDERING HUSBAND DURING CUSTODY BATTLE: POLICE

The complaint states that she repeatedly accused Doug of emotional abuse in an attempt to gain sole custody of their daughter, but the allegations were never substantiated.

At Thursday's hearing, Doug's family attorney, Stephanie Murphy, testified about the couple's custody battle and Ashley's claim that her husband poisoned her with heavy metals while she was pregnant, discharged a gun in their home and punched their dog in the face.

Former ballet dancer Ashley Benefield, 31, left, was initially charged with second-degree murder after the fatal altercation. The trial was dubbed the “black swan murder” case by Doug’s family attorney, a moniker that gained momentum as the trial became more high-profile. (Facebook)

“For Doug…Ashley is this innocent, pure white swan,” Murphy told CBS's “48 Hours.”

“But beneath those white feathers… she’s a devilish woman,” Murphy added. “She’s the Black Swan.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Eva Benefield, Doug's daughter from a previous marriage and Ashley's stepdaughter, celebrated the verdict on social media.

“She was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter,” Eva Benefield said in a TikTok video after the verdict. “After four years of waiting, my father got the justice he deserved.”

The date for sentencing has not yet been set.

Rebecca Rosenberg of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.