Original subtitles

>>> TONIGHT ON "DATELINE" --

>> HE STARTED COMING TOWARDS ME, AND THEN HE LUNGED AT ME

AND I STARTED PULLING THE TRIGGER.

[ CRYING ] >> ASHLEY RAN TO HER NEIGHBOR,

HYSTERICAL SHE HAD SHOT HER HUSBAND

I GUESS HE HAD ATTACKED HER AND SHE SHOT HIM

>> Reporter: SHE'S A BEAUTIFUL BALLERINA.

SHE APPEARS TO BE A GREAT MOM. >> WE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT

HAPPENED IN THAT ROOM. >> HE'S THROWN FURNITURE, HE

WOULD PUSH HER INTO A WALL I REALLY BELIEVED HE WAS GOING

TO KILL HER. >> HER CLOTHING DIDN'T APPEAR TO

BE STAINED OR TORN SHE DIDN'T LOOK LIKE SHE HAD ANY

INJURIES >> Reporter: SO YOU'RE SEEING

THIS CASE SHIFTING FROM SELF-DEFENSE TO MURDER

>> YES, MA'AM. >> THERE WERE GUNS PLACED AROUND

THIS HOUSE >> SHE AMBUSHED HIM ON THAT DAY,

IN THAT ROOM >> Reporter: PEOPLE ARE CALLING

ASHLEY "THE BLACK SWAN," THIS DARK BALLERINA WHO WAS A

COLDBLOODED KILLER >> THERE'S JUST NOTHING ABOUT

THAT THAT'S TRUE >> I WAS SCARED TO DEATH

>> HOW CAN YOU NOT BELIEVE HER >> DID THE DANCER CHOREOGRAPH A

KILLING? INSIDE THE NOTORIOUS "BLACK

SWAN" MURDER CASE. I'M LESTER HOLT, AND THIS IS

"DATELINE. HERE'S ANDREA CANNING WITH

"DEADLY DANCE. >> Reporter: IT TAKES GRACE,

STRENGTH, AND PASSION TO MAKE IT AS A BALLERINA

ONE BEAUTIFUL DANCER AND MODEL HAD ALL THAT, PLUS THE PERFECT

PARTNER TO SHARE HER DREAMS. >> SHE THOUGHT HE WAS VERY

CHARMING HE WAS SMART

HE WAS FUN TO TALK TO. IT WAS JUST A CLICK.

>> HE STARTED DESCRIBING IT. "THERE'S THIS BEAUTIFUL LADY

THAT LOVES ME. AND -- AND IN 13, DAYS WE GOT

MARRIED. >> Reporter: 13?

>> YEP >> Reporter: BUT ONE WARM AUTUMN

NIGHT, IT ENDED JUST AS FAST AS IT BEGAN

LEFT BEHIND -- FOUR BULLET CASINGS AND A LOVE STORY THAT

HAD SPIRALED OUT OF CONTROL. SEPTEMBER 27th, 2020

AS THE SUN WAS SETTING, A FRANTIC 911 CALL CAME IN FROM

LAKEWOOD RANCH, A COMMUNITY NEAR SARASOTA, FLORIDA.

>> HE'S SAYING THE NEIGHBOR CAME OVER, FEMALE NEIGHBOR.

IT WAS A DOMESTIC. >> Reporter: THE NEIGHBOR WAS

29-YEAR-OLD ASHLEY BENEFIELD, AND SHE HAD A DRAMATIC STORY TO

TELL >> SHE JUST CAME IN.

SHE WAS QUITE HYSTERICAL I DIDN'T KNOW WHO WAS BANGING ON

MY DOOR. SHE SAID THAT HE ATTACKED HER

AND SHE SHOT HIM >> Reporter: HE WAS ASHLEY'S

HUSBAND, 59-YEAR-OLD DOUG BENEFIELD

DETECTIVE DAN DICKERMAN WITH THE MANATEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

RACED TO THE SCENE >> WHEN THE DEPUTIES FIRST GOT

HERE, WHEN THEY ARRIVED ON SCENE, DOUGLAS BENEFIELD WAS

STILL INSIDE THE HOUSE UH, IN ORDER TO GET TO HIM, THE

FIRST THING THEY HAD TO DO WAS MAKE THE SCENE SAFE, WHICH THEY

KNEW FROM THE 911 CALL THAT ASHLEY WAS NEXT DOOR AND WAS

CLAIMING TO BE THE SHOOTER >> WHERE IN THE HOUSE IS HE?

>> IN THE BEDROOM. MY BEDROOM

>> HER BEDROOM >> Reporter: ONCE THEY SECURED

THE SCENE, FIRST RESPONDERS FOUND DOUG BLEEDING ON A BEDROOM

FLOOR AND PULLED HIM INTO THE LIVING ROOM TO PERFORM CPR

BARELY ALIVE, HE WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL

HOW MANY TIMES WAS DOUG SHOT >> AT THIS POINT, I BELIEVE, UM,

WE KNEW OF TWO >> YOU JUST CALM DOWN AND --

[ SOBBING OKAY

>> NOW THE DEPUTIES WANT HER TO GO OUTSIDE WITH HER HANDS UP,

NOTHING IN THEM. >> PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE SHE CAN

SEE THEM OKAY

ALL RIGHT? >> JUST START WALKING OUT FRONT.

THEY'RE OUTSIDE. >> Reporter: ASHLEY WALKED OUT

OF HER NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE AND INTO A SHERIFF'S VEHICLE.

>> ASHLEY BENEFIELD IS IN THE BACK OF A PATROL CAR

>> Reporter: DO YOU GO TALK TO HER BEFORE YOU GO IN THE HOUSE

>> YES, AFTER I INSTRUCTED THE DEPUTY TO SEE IF SHE WOULD BE

WILLING TO GO UP TO OUR OFFICE AND WE TRY NOT TO DO THE

INTERVIEWS ON THE SCENE. THERE'S TOO MUCH GOING ON.

I WAS TOLD THAT SHE WAS WILLING TO GO TO THE OFFICE, BUT SHE

WANTED TO SEE HER DAUGHTER >> Reporter: AT THE TIME OF THE

SHOOTING, HER 3-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER EMERSON WAS AT A LOCAL

PARK WITH HER GRANDMOTHER. THE TWO RETURNED TO A CHAOTIC

SCENE. >> ALLOWED THEM TO WALK UP TO

THE CAR WHERE ASHLEY COULD SEE HER DAUGHTER

BUT HER DAUGHTER COULDN'T SEE ASHLEY IN THE BACK OF THE CAR.

IT'S DARK TINTED WINDOWS, AND THE WINDOW IS UP

AND THAT WAS ACCEPTABLE TO HER >> Reporter: DID SHE TALK TO HER

MOM AT ALL >> SHE DID NOT, AT THE SCENE, AT

THAT POINT >> Reporter: THEN SOMEONE

SURPRISING SHOWED UP -- ASHLEY'S THERAPIST.

28 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, UNUSUAL TO SEE A THERAPIST SHOW

UP AT A CRIME SCENE LIKE THIS? >> YEAH, I -- I'VE NEVER SEEN A

THERAPIST OR A DOCTOR THAT HAS SHOWN AT A CRIME SCENE, AN

ACTIVE CRIME SCENE THAT HAS JUST OCCURRED

>> Reporter: IT'S LIKE SHE WAS ON SPEED DIAL.

>> YEAH, SHE WAS -- SHE WAS OBVIOUSLY CLOSE AND AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, DEPUTY

JUSTIN WARREN WAS WAITING FOR ASHLEY TO ARRIVE

BUT SOMEONE ELSE GOT THERE FIRST.

>> HER ATTORNEY APPROACHED ME OUT IN FRONT OF THE SHERIFF'S

OFFICE OPERATIONS CENTER AND ADVISED ME SHE WAS HER ATTORNEY

AND THAT THE OTHER TWO ATTORNEYS WERE ON THE WAY AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE ATTORNEY IS THERE BEFORE ASHLEY EVEN GETS TO

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE >> YES

>> Reporter: AND TWO MORE ON THE WAY?

>> TWO MORE ON THE WAY >> Reporter: DID THAT SURPRISE

YOU? >> YEAH, IT DID STRIKE ME AS

ODD. >> Reporter: THREE ATTORNEYS AND

A THERAPIST. IT WAS CLEAR THIS WAS GOING TO

BE AN UNUSUAL INVESTIGATION, ESPECIALLY AFTER DEPUTY WARREN

STARTED CHECKING POLICE RECORDS. >> SO WE START LOOKING INTO

THESE THINGS I'M LIKE, "OH, THAT'S KIND OF

INTERESTING. >> Reporter: TURNS OUT THERE WAS

A LONG AND TWISTED HISTORY BETWEEN DOUG AND ASHLEY.

THIS READS LIKE A LIFETIME MOVIE.

YOU HAVE ALLEGATIONS OF POISONED TEA, STALKING, MURDER.

IT GOES ON AND ON. >> EVERY TIME I THOUGHT THIS IS

THE CRAZIEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD, THEN I WOULD HEAR

SOMETHING ELSE >> Reporter: IN FACT, THERE WAS

A TIDAL WAVE OF ACCUSATIONS. >> SHE WAS MAKING SOME

ALLEGATIONS AT SOME POINT THAT DOUG HAD POSSIBLY POISONED

>> Reporter: IN THE HOURS AFTER

SHOOTING HER HUSBAND DOUG, ASHLEY BENEFIELD WAS AT THE

MANATEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. INVESTIGATORS HOPED SHE WOULD

FILL IN THE GAPS LEADING UP TO THE MOMENT SHE PULLED THE

TRIGGER. >> WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A

SELF-DEFENSE CLAIM WE KNOW FROM THE INITIAL

911 CALL SO WE NEED TO FIND OUT EXACTLY,

TO THE BEST WE CAN, WHAT HAPPENED INSIDE THAT HOUSE

>> Reporter: BUT ASHLEY, SITTING NEXT TO HER ATTORNEY, EXERCISED

HER RIGHT NOT TO SAY ANYTHING. >> I KNOW THAT WE HAVEN'T TALKED

YET, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE TAKING A STATEMENT FROM YOU, AND

THAT'S FINE. >> Reporter: NO ONE KNOWS

ASHLEY'S STORY BUT ASHLEY. >> BUT ASHLEY.

YES, MA'AM >> Reporter: SHE WASN'T UNDER

ARREST, SO ASHLEY WAS FREE TO GO

A FEW MILES AWAY AT THE HOSPITAL, DOCTORS WERE TRYING TO

SAVE DOUG'S LIFE BUT HIS INJURIES WERE TOO SEVERE

AND HE DIED. HIS FAMILY WAS STUNNED

>> I'M JUST -- I'M OVERCOME WITH GRIEF.

I CAN'T THINK STRAIGHT >> Reporter: DOUG'S BROTHER

DAVID AND COUSIN TOMMIE CALLED EVA, DOUG'S 19-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER

FROM A PREVIOUS MARRIAGE, TO BREAK THE NEWS

THIS IS SUCH A DEVASTATING PHONE CALL

>> HORRIBLE. >> SHE BEGINS WAILING AND IT

WAS -- IT WAS JUST ONE OF THE WORST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE

>> SHE GOES FROM ANGER INTO GRIEF, CRUSHING GRIEF, SO

QUICKLY. >> Reporter: GRIEF SHE KNEW ALL

TOO WELL EVA NOT ONLY HAS LOST HER MOM,

BUT NOW SHE'S LOST HER DAD TOO >> YES, MA'AM.

>> Reporter: EVA'S MOM RENEE DIED FROM A HEART ATTACK WHEN

EVA WAS ONLY 15. HER DAD WAS HER WHOLE WORLD.

>> EVA TALKS ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL HE WAS

SHE SAID, "HE WAS MY BEST FRIEND I COULD BRING ALL MY GIRL

PROBLEMS TO. AND I LOVED HEARING THAT ABOUT

IT BECAUSE THAT'S THE DOUG THAT I KNEW

>> Reporter: EVA HAD STRUGGLED TO ACCEPT HER STEP-MOM, AND NOW

DETECTIVES WERE DIVING IN TO ASHLEY AND DOUG'S MAY-DECEMBER

ROMANCE. >> SO WE START TO KIND OF TRY TO

DEVELOP, UH, A LITTLE BIT MORE BACKGROUND AS FAR AS WHAT THEY

WERE LIKE TOGETHER AND WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP REALLY WAS.

>> Reporter: THEY LEARNED THAT DOUG MET ASHLEY IN THE SUMMER OF

2016, LESS THAN 9 MONTHS AFTER HIS WIFE DIED.

THE FORMER NAVY PILOT WAS 54, DEEPLY RELIGIOUS, AND WORKED IN

THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY ASHLEY, 30 YEARS YOUNGER, WAS A

RETIRED BALLERINA WHO MODELED AND TAUGHT DANCING

THE TWO INSTANTLY CLICKED AT A DINNER PARTY HOSTED BY FORMER

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DR. BEN CARSON

>> THE STUNNING PART IS THEY GO OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, AND SHE SHOWS

THEM A GUN THAT SHE'S CARRYING IN THE BRA

>> Reporter: OH. >> HER CONCEALED CARRY IN FRONT

OF TWO SECRET SERVICE TEAMS. >> Reporter: THESE TWO REALLY

BONDED OVER GUNS, GOD, AND POLITICS

>> THAT WAS PART OF THEIR, UM, BONDING FOR SURE

>> Reporter: DR. BARBARA RUSSELL IS ASHLEY'S THERAPIST, THE SAME

THERAPIST WHO SHOWED UP AT THE SCENE THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING.

SHE'S KNOWN ASHLEY FOR YEARS >> HE TEXTED HER, I BELIEVE,

THAT VERY NIGHT AND PURSUED HER AFTER THAT

AND THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THEIR WHIRLWIND RELATIONSHIP

THAT ENDED IN MARRIAGE 13 DAYS LATER.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF WHIRLWIND.

>> IT CERTAINLY IS >> Reporter: ASHLEY MOVED FROM

FLORIDA TO DOUG'S HOME IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA,

WHERE THE NEWLYWEDS BECAME BUSINESS PARTNERS AS WELL.

THEY FORMED A BALLET COMPANY IT WAS ASHLEY'S DREAM COME TRUE.

>> SHE SAID, "I DON'T WANT TO PICK DANCERS IN A ROOM BASED ON

THEIR HEIGHT OR THEIR WEIGHT OR THEIR AGE, ANYTHING.

I WANNA PICK THEM BASED ON THEIR TALENT AND THEIR WORK ETHIC.

>> Reporter: SARA MURAWSKI WAS HIRED AS A PRINCIPAL DANCER.

THE NEARLY SIX-FOOT-TALL BALLERINA SAYS HER HEIGHT

HINDERED HER CAREER. SHE BONDED WITH ASHLEY WHO WAS

ALSO TALL AND WAS TOUCHED BY ASHLEY AND DOUG'S RELATIONSHIP

>> THEY'RE THE MOST IN LOVE COUPLE I THINK I'VE EVER MET IN

PERSON IN MY LIFE. THEY ARE VERY TOUCHY-FEELY, BUT

NOT SO MUCH THAT IT WAS OBNOXIOUS.

>> Reporter: BY THE SUMMER OF 2017, ASHLEY WAS PREGNANT.

DOUG EMBRACED THE IDEA OF BEING AN OLDER DAD

>> HE WAS GENUINELY EXCITED ABOUT THE -- ABOUT THE PATH

FORWARD. >> Reporter: BUT INVESTIGATORS

DISCOVERED THEIR BRIGHT SMILES DIDN'T TELL THE WHOLE STORY.

THERE WAS DARKNESS BENEATH THE SURFACE OF THIS RELATIONSHIP

>> VERY MUCH SO. THERE WAS A LOT OF DARKNESS.

>> Reporter: ASHLEY GAVE DR. RUSSELL PERMISSION TO SPEAK

WITH US. SHE SAYS ASHLEY TOLD HER DOUG

TURNED VIOLENT AND ABUSIVE WITHIN WEEKS OF THEIR WEDDING.

>> HE'S THROWN FURNITURE HE WOULD PUSH HER INTO A WALL,

SCREAM IN HER FACE, AND PUNCH THE WALL

>> Reporter: THEN ASHLEY SAID THE ABUSE TURNED SINISTER.

ASHLEY BELIEVED THAT DOUG WAS POISONING HER WHILE SHE WAS

PREGNANT, HER AND -- AND THE UNBORN CHILD

>> YES >> Reporter: ASHLEY CLAIMED DOUG

WOULD MAKE HER TEA AND WAS ADAMANT SHE DRINK IT, EVEN

THOUGH SHE FELT IT MADE HER SICK

SHE BEGAN TO SUSPECT IT WAS LACED WITH SOMETHING

ASHLEY ALSO MADE THIS JAW-DROPPING ACCUSATION.

>> DOUG TOLD HER THAT HE KILLED HIS WIFE, RENEE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS WHAT SHE TOLD YOU

>> YES >> Reporter: DID HE SAY HOW HE

KILLED HIS WIFE? >> HE SAID HE POISONED HER AND

THE POLICE WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE HIM, AND HE WILL KILL HER TOO.

>> Reporter: ABOUT EIGHT WEEKS INTO HER PREGNANCY, ASHLEY SAID

SHE FELT SHE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO FLEE TO HER MOM'S PLACE IN

FLORIDA. THE BALLET COMPANY FOLDED SOON

AFTER. ASHLEY GOT A RESTRAINING ORDER

AGAINST DOUG AND DIDN'T TELL HIM WHEN THEIR DAUGHTER WAS BORN IN

THE SPRING OF 2018 SHE LEFT HIS NAME OFF THE BIRTH

CERTIFICATE AND ASKED A FAMILY COURT JUDGE TO TERMINATE HIS

PARENTAL RIGHTS. BUT EVEN THEN SHE SAID SHE

COULDN'T ESCAPE HIM. SHE BELIEVED DOUG WAS STALKING

HER. >> HE CROSSED THREE STATE LINES,

EVEN WITH A RESTRAINING ORDER, TO FOLLOW HER TO FLORIDA

>> Reporter: THE DETAILS OF THE SHOOTING TOOK DR. RUSSELL BY

SURPRISE, GIVEN EVERYTHING SHE'D HEARD ABOUT DOUG AND ASHLEY'S

RELATIONSHIP >> I WAS SO SHOCKED THAT IT

WASN'T ASHLEY THAT WAS DEAD. I REALLY BELIEVED HE WAS GOING

TO KILL HER. >> Reporter: DR. RUSSELL SHARED

ALL THIS AND MORE WITH DETECTIVES

WAS SHE GIVING YOU INSIGHT INTO DOUG AND ASHLEY'S RELATIONSHIP

ABOUT HOW VOLATILE IT WAS? >> I WAS HEARING A LOT OF

COMPLAINTS THAT, UH, ASHLEY HAD WITH DOUG.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO DR. RUSSELL'S STATEMENT, POLICE

REPORTS DOCUMENTED THE COUPLE'S TUMULTUOUS RELATIONSHIP.

>> I STARTED SEARCHING IN OUR COMPUTER RECORDS DATABASE AND

NOTICED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL REPORTS GOING BACK, I THINK, TO

2017, UH, IN REFERENCE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DIFFERENT

COMPLAINTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. >> Reporter: GIVEN THEIR

HISTORY, INVESTIGATORS WONDERED IF DOUG'S SHOOTING WAS IN FACT A

CASE OF SELF-DEFENSE BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER SIDE TO

THIS STORY, AND IT WAS A HE SAID, SHE SAID FOR THE AGES.

>> ASHLEY WAS SEVERELY ABUSING HIM EMOTIONALLY AND THROUGH THE

>> Reporter: DETECTIVE

JUSTIN WARREN HAD A GROWING STACK OF EVIDENCE SUGGESTING

DOUG BENEFIELD WAS A VIOLENT AND ABUSIVE HUSBAND.

BUT WHEN HE SPOKE WITH DOUG'S FAMILY, THEY PAINTED A DIFFERENT

PICTURE. >> GROWING UP, HE WAS A STAR

ATHLETE. HE WAS A FRIEND TO EVERYBODY,

JUST SUPER KIND. >> Reporter: TO ANYONE WHO HEARS

ABOUT THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF DOUG IN YOUR EYES, THIS IS JUST A

SNAPSHOT, A SMALL SNAPSHOT OF A MAN WHO WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN

THAT >> ABSOLUTELY.

I DON'T WANNA MAKE EXCUSES FOR BAD BEHAVIOR

AND I -- AND I DO NOT WANT TO COME ACROSS LIKE I'M TRYING TO

SAY, YOU KNOW, DOUG WAS PERFECT AND ALL THIS STUFF

BUT NO BUT HE -- HE OWNED HIS MISTAKES,

AND HE GREW. >> Reporter: DAVID AND TOMMIE

ACKNOWLEDGE THAT DOUG HAD A FEW ANGRY OUTBURSTS, BUT SAY HE

REGRETTED THEM AND SOUGHT COUNSELING

AND DAVID BELIEVES IF ANYONE WAS A VICTIM IN THE RELATIONSHIP, IT

WAS DOUG >> AND ASHLEY WAS SEVERELY

ABUSING HIM EMOTIONALLY AND THROUGH THE CONTROL OF THE

CHILD. DOUG WAS NOT DOING ANY OF THAT

>> Reporter: ASHLEY'S THERAPIST SAYS THAT DOUG TOLD ASHLEY

THAT -- THAT HE KILLED RENEE IS THERE -

>> YEAH, THAT'S -- >> Reporter: -- ANY TRUTH TO

THAT - >> NO.

>> Reporter: -- AS FAR AS YOU KNOW -

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY -- >> Reporter: -- ABOUT --

>> -- ABSURD >> Reporter: THIS READS LIKE A

LIFETIME MOVIE YOU HAVE ALLEGATIONS OF POISONED

TEA, STALKING, MURDER. IT GOES ON AND ON.

>> EVERY TIME I THOUGHT THIS IS THE CRAZIEST THING I'VE EVER

HEARD, THEN I WOULD HEAR SOMETHING ELSE

>> Reporter: ATTORNEY STEPHANIE MURPHY REPRESENTED

DOUG DURING HIS LEGAL BATTLES WITH ASHLEY.

>> SHE TRIED TO GET CHARLESTON LAW ENFORCEMENT TO EXHUME

RENEE'S BODY TO TRY TO SAY THAT HE HAD KILLED HER.

SHE WAS GOING TO NEWSPAPERS AROUND THE COUNTRY TALKING ABOUT

THE POISONING. SHE MADE EVERY ALLEGATION THAT

SHE POSSIBLY COULD TO MULTIPLE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

>> Reporter: DETECTIVES LEARNED THAT DOUG FOUGHT TO SEE HIS

DAUGHTER AFTER ASHLEY FILED TO TERMINATE HIS PARENTAL RIGHTS.

THE COUPLE FACED OFF IN FAMILY COURT IN THE SUMMER OF 2018.

BABY EMERSON WAS 6 MONTHS OLD AND DOUG HAD NEVER MET HER

>> OKAY, LET'S GO AHEAD AND GO ON THE RECORD OF BENEFIELD

VERSUS BENEFIELD >> Reporter: THIS IS A RECORDING

OF THE HEARING ASHLEY TOOK THE STAND.

>> WHEN YOU LIVED WITH DOUGLAS BENEFIELD, UM, WAS THERE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? >> YES

HE HURT OUR PETS IN ORDER TO HURT ME.

HE WAS VERBALLY ABUSIVE. HE WOULD YELL AND SCREAM AT ME,

AND HE WOULD, UM, THREATEN ME. >> HOW MANY TIMES DID HE PUNCH

HOLES IN THE DRYWALL IN THE HOUSE?

>> SEVERAL TIMES >> Reporter: ASHLEY ALSO

PRESENTED LAB REPORTS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY AS PROOF DOUG HAD

POISONED HER WHILE SHE WAS PREGNANT

ASHLEY MADE IT CLEAR WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS AT STAKE FOR HER

DAUGHTER >> I BELIEVE THAT IF HE WERE TO

HAVE ACCESS TO HER NOW, THAT HE VERY WELL COULD CAUSE HER

SERIOUS HARM OR -- OR -- OR KILL HER.

>> Reporter: DOUG TESTIFIED TOO. >> NEVER SINCE WE WERE TOGETHER

DID I EVER BELIEVE SHE WAS SCARED

>> Reporter: HE SAID HE NEVER STALKED ASHLEY BUT ADMITTED TO

YELLING AT HER, PUNCHING A FEW WALLS, AND MISTREATING THE PETS

ON OCCASION. >> HE'S A BIG DOG, AND HE JUMPED

UP IN MY LAP AND YEAH, I MEAN, I ADMIT I HIT

HIM. I DIDN'T HIT HIM LIKE YOU WOULD,

YOU KNOW, HIT A PUNCHING BAG OR ANYTHING

BUT I HIT HIM. >> Reporter: BUT DOUG DENIED

POISONING ASHLEY AND USED HIS OWN EXPERT TO DEBUNK THE LAB

REPORTS. AND HE WAS ADAMANT HE PLAYED NO

ROLE IN HIS LATE WIFE'S DEATH. >> ASHLEY BENFIELD HAS ACCUSED

YOU OF MURDERING YOUR WIFE RENEE.

DID YOU DO THAT? >> NO, I DID NOT

SHE DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES >> Reporter: AUTHORITIES

CONFIRMED RENEE'S DEATH WAS NOT SUSPICIOUS

>> THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DOUG WERE AT WORST BLOWN OUT OF

PROPORTION, BUT AT BEST JUST COMPLETELY UNTRUE.

>> Reporter: THE JUDGE SEEMED TO AGREE WHEN SHE ISSUED THIS

SCATHING RULING. >> THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOT A

SINGLE SCINTILLA OF CREDIBILITY THAT I'M ATTACHING TO ANYTHING

THAT WAS TESTIFIED TO, AT LEAST IN THIS HEARING, OF

MS. BENEFIELD. IT STARTS FROM BASICALLY THE

ABSURD WE THEN MOVED FORWARD TO, UM,

THE ACTUAL PRESENTATION THAT SHE'S HAD IN THIS COURTROOM, THE

TURNING ON OF TEARS WHEN, UH, SHE THINKS IT'S APPROPRIATE.

THERE IS NOT A SINGLE SCINTILLA OF CREDIBLE EVIDENCE THAT

MS. BENEFIELD HAS EVER BEEN POISONED OR SUFFERED FROM ANY

ILLNESS OF ANY POISON. >> Reporter: THE JUDGE GAVE DOUG

IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO HIS DAUGHTER AND GRANTED HIM SOLE

RESPONSIBILITY OVER HER MEDICAL CARE

THAT'S A TURNING POINT IN ALL OF THIS

>> IT WAS A HUGE TURNING POINT IT WAS -- THIS WAS THE COURT

FINDING THAT THE DECISIONS THAT ASHLEY HAD MADE UP TO THAT POINT

FOR HER DAUGHTER WERE DETRIMENTAL.

SO SHE TOOK THAT AWAY FROM ASHLEY AND GAVE IT TO DOUG

>> Reporter: FOUR DAYS AFTER THE RULING, STEPHANIE MURPHY WAS

WAS THERE A TENDER MOMENT WHEN HE LAYS EYES ON HIS DAUGHTER FOR

THE FIRST TIME >> SHE WAS A CUTE, PLUMP, LITTLE

BABY AND SO THERE HE WAS, JUST

HOLDING THIS LITTLE GIRL THE LOOK ON HIS FACE WAS PURE

LOVE >> Reporter: SHE WAS STUNNED BY

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT >> DOUG SAID, "WE'RE ALL GONNA

GO TOGETHER, ME AND ASHLEY AND OUR DAUGHTER."

I SAID, "DOUG, THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

AND HE WAS SO TRUSTING, BLINDLY TRUSTING OF HER.

>> Reporter: THE STRANGE BALLET BETWEEN THE TWO ENTERED ITS NEXT

ACT. DOUG GOT A PLACE IN FLORIDA AND

SAW EMERSON REGULARLY OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS

HE AND ASHLEY ALSO SPENT TIME TOGETHER AS A COUPLE

BUT DETECTIVES DISCOVERED THE RELATIONSHIP WAS STILL

UNPREDICTABLE. ASHLEY CONTINUED TO CONFIDE IN

PEOPLE THAT SHE WAS AFRAID OF DOUG AND ACCUSED HIM OF ABUSING

THEIR DAUGHTER DOUG TOLD HIS ATTORNEY HE

THOUGHT ASHLEY MIGHT BE MENTALLY UNSTABLE

YET THEY DECIDED THEY WOULD ALL MOVE TO MARYLAND, WHERE ASHLEY

GREW UP, BUT STILL LIVE SEPARATELY

THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING THEY WERE TOGETHER PACKING ASHLEY'S

STUFF. >> OBVIOUSLY, WITH DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE, THERE ARE TIMES THAT WOMEN OR MEN WILL GO BACK TO THE

PERSON THAT'S ABUSING THEM IT DOES HAPPEN

>> Reporter: BUT THE DETECTIVE WAS BECOMING CONVINCED THAT THIS

WASN'T THE CASE WITH ASHLEY. BECAUSE DESPITE HER MAKING OVER

A DOZEN COMPLAINTS AGAINST DOUG, SOMETHING JUMPED OUT

HE HAD NO CRIMINAL RECORD. >> IT'S KIND OF A RED FLAG THAT

KIND OF GOES UP THAT SAYS, "HUH, THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD PAY

ATTENTION TO." >> Reporter: MEANING THAT YOU'RE

SEEING THESE COMPLAINTS AGAINST DOUG, BUT NO ARRESTS OF DOUG

>> CORRECT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST

THAT A CRIME HAD ACTUALLY OCCURRED

>> Reporter: DETECTIVE DICKERMAN THOUGHT THERE WERE ALSO RED

FLAGS AT THE SCENE WHY WOULD ASHLEY AGREE TO MEET

WITH DOUG ALONE? AND INSIDE THE HOUSE

INVESTIGATORS NOTICED THIS >> THERE'S A GUN READILY

ACCESSIBLE IN THIS BEDROOM WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE IS PACKED UP

AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU HAVE ANOTHER GUN THAT'S READILY

ACCESSIBLE IN THE PANTRY, SITTING BY THE PEANUT BUTTER ON

THE SHELF. >> Reporter: IS IT LOADED?

>> IT'S LOADED >> Reporter: THEN THEY FOUND A

THIRD LOADED GUN >> IT JUST KEPT BUILDING UP AND

ADDING UP MORE AND MORE THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING TO HAPPEN

THIS NIGHT >> Reporter: ONE CRUCIAL PIECE

OF THE PUZZLE WAS STILL MISSING. ASHLEY HAD NOT GIVEN A STATEMENT

DETAILING HER VERSION OF EVENTS. SHE WASN'T TELLING ANYONE WHAT

HAPPENED, NOT EVEN HER THERAPIST, DR. RUSSELL

ASHLEY ACTUALLY LIVED WITH HER FOR EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THE

SHOOTING DID SHE MAKE ANY COMMENTS LIKE,

"I HAD TO DO IT," OR, "HE WAS GOING TO KILL ME," ANYTHING LIKE

THAT >> SHE DIDN'T NEED TO SAY

ANYTHING LIKE THAT THAT WAS SO EVIDENT.

IT WAS SO OBVIOUS. >> Reporter: WHAT HAD BECOME

OBVIOUS TO DETECTIVE WARREN AND HIS TEAM WAS THAT ASHLEY'S CLAIM

OF SELF-DEFENSE WAS FULL OF HOLES.

YOU'RE SEEING THIS CASE SHIFTING FROM SELF-DEFENSE TO MURDER?

>> YES, MA'AM. ABSOLUTELY

>> Reporter: AFTER A TWO-MONTH INVESTIGATION, DETECTIVE WARREN

HAD REACHED A STARK CONCLUSION ABOUT ASHLEY

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THESE COMPLAINTS

EVERYTHING'S UNFOUNDED SHE JUST WAS NOT BELIEVABLE IN

ANYTHING THAT SHE WAS SAYING, MAKING THESE BASELESS

ACCUSATIONS -- >> Reporter: MM-HMM.

>> -- AGAINST DOUG >> Reporter: AND INVESTIGATORS

WERE NOT BUYING HER CLAIM OF SELF- DEFENSE.

IN NOVEMBER 2020, SHE WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH

SECOND-DEGREE MURDER SOME MEDIA STARTED CALLING HER

"THE BLACK SWAN" AFTER THE MOVIE ABOUT A DIABOLICAL BALLERINA

PEOPLE ARE CALLING ASHLEY THIS DARK BALLERINA WHO WAS A

MANIPULATIVE, COLD-BLOODED KILLER

>> IF IT WASN'T SO SERIOUS, I WOULD BE LAUGHING.

THERE'S JUST NOTHING ABOUT THAT THAT'S TRUE BY ANYBODY WHO KNOWS

HER. >> Reporter: DOUG'S DAUGHTER EVA

WAS CONVINCED ASHLEY MURDERED HER DAD.

AND AS THE PUBLICITY AROUND THE CASE GREW, SHE DECIDED TO LET

THE WORLD KNOW >> AS YOU ALL KNOW, ASHLEY

KILLED MY DAD. >> Reporter: SHE TURNED TO

TIKTOK HER VIDEOS, DRIPPING WITH

SARCASM AND DARK HUMOR, RACKED UP TENS OF MILLIONS OF VIEWS

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE THE LAST

FEW WEEKS. >> Reporter: ASHLEY HAD

SUPPORTERS TOO AND WHEN HER TRIAL STARTED IN

JULY OF 2024, THEY CAME OUT IN FORCE.

MARCHING NEAR THE COURTHOUSE >> END THE WITCH HUNT.

>> Reporter: HER DAUGHTER EMERSON, NOW 6 YEARS OLD, WAS

FRONT AND CENTER >> WELL, I'LL TELL YOU THE THING

THAT WAS THE MOST CONCERNING WAS THAT THE DAUGHTER WAS OUT BEING

DISPLAYED ON THIS PICKET LINE, WHATEVER YOU WOULD CALL IT

>> Reporter: WELL, THAT'S YOUR NIECE.

>> THAT'S MY NIECE SHE'S HOLDING UP A PICKET SIGN

PUT OUT THERE BY ADULTS. >> Reporter: ASSISTANT STATE

ATTORNEYS SUZANNE O'DONNELL AND REBECCA FREEL KNEW SOME JURORS

MIGHT SYMPATHIZE WITH ASHLEY WOULD YOU SAY IT WOULD BE YOUR

BIGGEST CHALLENGE COMBATING ASHLEY'S VERSION THAT SHE'S A

VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? AND PEOPLE WANT TO BELIEVE

VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE >> 100%.

THAT WAS THE MAIN DIFFICULTY >> I THINK AN AVERAGE PERSON

WANTS TO BELIEVE WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS THEY'RE A VICTIM, THAT THEY

ARE IN FACT A VICTIM >> READY TO GO

LET'S BRING THE JURY IN. >> Reporter: THE CASE WAS ALMOST

ENTIRELY CIRCUMSTANTIAL. AND IN FLORIDA, ASHLEY'S FATE

WOULD BE DECIDED BY SIX JURORS WOULD THEY THINK SHE WAS A

DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIM OR A LIAR? >> THERE WERE ALSO OTHER

COMPLAINTS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMPLAINTS

>> Reporter: IN OPENING STATEMENTS, PROSECUTORS SAID AT

TIMES DOUG HAD ANGER ISSUES, BUT HE NEVER PHYSICALLY HARMED

ASHLEY >> NOT ONCE DID SHE EVER SAY HE

CHOKED HER, KICKED HER, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: THERE'S THINGS YOU CAN'T ESCAPE, THAT HE'S NOT A

SAINT. >> RIGHT

YES, HE WAS DEFINITELY NOT A SAINT.

YOU ARE CORRECT. BUT DID -- THAT DAY, WHEN THAT

HAPPENED, DID HE DO SOMETHING THAT REQUIRED DEADLY FORCE

AND THAT'S WHAT WE TRIED TO FOCUS ON

>> Reporter: PROSECUTORS HAD TO CONVINCE JURORS ASHLEY'S LIFE

WAS NOT IN DANGER THAT NIGHT THEIR THEORY -- SHE SHOT DOUG

BECAUSE SHE WAS DESPERATE TO HAVE EMERSON TO HERSELF, FEARFUL

SHE MIGHT LOSE HER >> THIS WAS A CUSTODY BATTLE

THAT THIS MOTHER WAS GOING TO WIN AT ALL COSTS, AND THE COST

WAS THE LIFE OF DOUG BENEFIELD AND THAT IS MURDER

>> Reporter: JURORS LEARNED ASHLEY FIRED FOUR SHOTS AT DOUG,

WITH TWO HITTING HIM THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER

TESTIFIED THE FATAL BULLET ENTERED DOUG'S SIDE, NOT HIS

FRONT, AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT IF HE WERE ATTACKING HER

>> Reporter: IT ENTERED HERE AND LANDED HERE.

SO IT WAS BASICALLY SIDE TO SIDE

SO HE WAS NOT COMING AT HER CHEST-FIRST.

>> Reporter: DOUG'S DAUGHTER EVA TESTIFIED ASHLEY WAS SOMETIMES

VOLATILE, BLOWING UP IF SHE DIDN'T GET HER WAY

>> OVER TIME, SHE TRIED TO REPRIMAND ME A LITTLE BIT MORE

AND KIND OF STEP INTO A MOTHERLY ROLE

AND I DID NOT LIKE THAT BECAUSE IT WAS SO SHORT AFTER MY MOM

PASSED AWAY. >> WHENEVER SHE HAD A

DISAGREEMENT WITH YOU, HOW WOULD SHE ACT?

>> IT WAS ALMOST TEMPER TANTRUM-LIKE

>> Reporter: DETECTIVE CHRIS GILLUM WORKED IN THE

SHERIFF'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT

HE'D BEEN ASSIGNED ASHLEY'S CASE

>> SHE STARTED CONTACTING ME ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> Reporter: HE TESTIFIED HOW ASHLEY CALLED HIM DOZENS OF

TIMES OVER A THREE MONTH PERIOD. ON ONE CALL, SHE DEMANDED DOUG

BE ARRESTED AT AN UPCOMING FAMILY COURT HEARING

>> SHE ASKED FOR ME TO ARREST DOUG WHEN HE CAME INSIDE THE

COURTROOM IN FRONT OF THE PRESIDING JUDGE.

>> OKAY. AND WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO

THAT >> THAT THAT WOULD ABSOLUTELY

NOT OCCUR. SHE WAS UPSET, AND AT THAT

POINT -- I WOULD CALL IT A DRAMATIC CRY --

HYSTERICAL CRYING STARTED HAPPENING.

AND SHE MADE A COMMENT THAT SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT -- "IF

THE JUDGE SEES YOU ARREST HIM, THIS WILL HELP ME KEEP MY BABY."

>> Reporter: WHEN THE DETECTIVE TOLD ASHLEY HE HAD NO REASON TO

ARREST DOUG, HE SAID SHE PERSISTED.

>> SHE LET OUT, LIKE, A SCREECH OR A HIGH-PITCHED SCREAM AND

SAYS, "I'LL DO WHATEVER I HAVE TO DO TO KEEP MY BABY, YOU

A-HOLE." >> Reporter: DID THAT INCLUDE

SHOOTING DOUG BENEFIELD? THE DEFENSE WAS READY TO FIGHT

BACK WITH A BOLD MOVE. >> DEFENSE CALLS

ASHLEY BENEFIELD >> Reporter: ASHLEY, FOR THE

FIRST TIME, WAS FINALLY READY TO TELL HER STORY AND SHARE HER

SECRETS. >> DOUG WAS STANDING IN THE

DOORWAY. HIS FACE WAS RED

HIS VEINS WERE BULGING IN HIS NECK

>> Reporter: ASHLEY BENEFIELD'S

ATTORNEY NEIL TAYLOR STEPPED UP TO THE PODIUM TO DELIVER HIS

OPENING STATEMENT. HIS OBJECTIVE -- TO TURN THE

TRIAL ON ITS HEAD. >> I'M GOING TO HAVE SOME STRONG

WORDS ABOUT DOUGLAS BENEFIELD, THE ALLEGED VICTIM

>> Reporter: YOU SAY HE'S AN ALLEGED VICTIM

>> CORRECT I BELIEVE HE WAS THE INSTIGATOR.

I BELIEVE HE WAS THE ONE WHO PUT ASHLEY IN THE POSITION THAT

COMPELLED HER TO RESORT TO SELF-DEFENSE AND USE DEADLY

FORCE. >> Reporter: TO BACK UP HIS

CLAIM, HE CALLED THIS CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER WHO COUNSELLED

DOUG AND ASHLEY IN 2020. >> DOUG OCCURRED AS SOMEONE WHO

WAS DOMINEERING AND SUPER CONTROLLING.

HE WOULD FIT THE STEREOTYPE OF AN ALPHA MALE.

>> Reporter: TAYLOR THEN ATTACKED WHAT THE STATE SAID WAS

ASHLEY'S MOTIVE. HE CHALLENGED DETECTIVE GILLUM'S

TESTIMONY, SPECIFICALLY THAT ASHLEY SAID SHE'D DO WHATEVER

SHE HAD TO TO KEEP HER BABY. GILLUM ADMITTED THAT WASN'T IN

HIS ORIGINAL REPORT CITING ASHLEY'S COMPLAINTS.

IT WAS ONLY AFTER DOUG WAS KILLED, MORE THAN TWO YEARS

LATER, THAT GILLUM DOCUMENTED IT

>> 2 1/2 YEARS LATER, YOU REMEMBER THE DETAILS OF THE

CONVERSATION >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND EXACTLY WHAT SHE SAID, QUOTES

YOU QUOTE HER. >> YES

>> Reporter: THE DEFENSE KNEW IT WOULD NEED TO EXPLAIN WHAT WENT

ON INSIDE THAT HOUSE THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING.

BUT THE ONLY LIVING EYE WITNESS HAD BARELY SAID A WORD

>> DEFENSE CALLS ASHLEY BENEFIELD

>> Reporter: UNTIL ASHLEY ROSE TO BREAK HER FOUR-YEAR SILENCE

AND TESTIFY IN HER OWN DEFENSE THIS IS THE BIG MOMENT IN THE

TRIAL. >> I THINK SO.

>> Reporter: ASHLEY GETTING UP ON THAT STAND AND RAISING HER

RIGHT HAND >> YES

I THOUGHT IT, UH, WOULD BE A MAKE-OR-BREAK MOMENT

>> Reporter: NEIL TAYLOR INTRODUCED THE JURY TO A

DIFFERENT ASHLEY FROM THE ONE THE STATE HAD JUST PORTRAYED

>> I BELIEVE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF KINDNESS AND COMPASSION

>> Reporter: HE THEN JUMPED RIGHT IN TO HER RELATIONSHIP

WITH DOUG. >> DESCRIBE FOR US THE MAN YOU

THOUGHT YOU'D MARRIED? >> HE WAS VERY LOVING AND

ATTENTIVE. WE LAUGHED A LOT

AND HE MADE ME FEEL VERY SPECIAL AND LOVED.

>> Reporter: ASHLEY SAID IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE CRACKS

STARTED APPEARING IN DOUG'S CHARMING, SWEET VENEER

>> HE STARTED BECOMING VERY, LIKE, CONTROLLING AND

POSSESSIVE HE STARTED CRITICIZING

EVERYTHING ABOUT ME, LIKE THE WAY I WOULD WEAR MY HAIR OR DID

MY MAKEUP OR THE WAY I DRESSED >> Reporter: ASHLEY TOLD THE

JURORS DOUG'S ABUSE CONTINUED AND ESCALATED.

>> HE THREW A CHAIR AT ME. HE ACCUSED ME OF HAVING A THING

FOR THE PASTOR AND HE SAID I WAS A SLUT AND A WHORE

>> Reporter: SHE NEXT DESCRIBED A TERRIFYING MOMENT WHILE SHE

AND DOUG WERE STILL LIVING TOGETHER IN CHARLESTON

>> WE WERE HAVING A -- AN ARGUMENT, AND IT STARTED GETTING

REALLY OUT OF HAND HE -- HE PULLED A GUN OUT AND HE

WAS, LIKE, WAVING IT AROUND. AND HE PULLED THE TRIGGER, AND

HE SHOT A HOLE IN THE CEILING, IN THE KITCHEN

>> Reporter: ASHLEY TESTIFIED SHE WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD

SEEN DOUG'S DARK SIDE, THAT THERE WAS A PATTERN TO HIS

ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR JUST A FEW MONTHS INTO THEIR

MARRIAGE, SHE FOUND DISTURBING TEXT MESSAGES ON ONE OF DOUG'S

OLD CELL PHONES. THE TEXTS WERE FROM HIS LATE

WIFE RENEE >> "I LOVED YOU, THOUGH FINDING

OUT YOU WEREN'T REALLY WHAT YOU PRETENDED TO BE.

YOU KICKING ME SO HARD ON NEW YEAR'S EVE ON OUR HONEYMOON.

DOUG'S PRIOR WIFE ACCUSED HIM OF BEING VIOLENT.

IT MIRRORED THE ALLEGATIONS THAT ASHLEY HAD MADE ABOUT DOUG

>> Reporter: THE DEFENSE THEN MOVED ON TO THE MOMENT EVERYONE

HAD BEEN WAITING FOR WHAT WOULD ASHLEY SAY ABOUT THE

NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING? SHE EXPLAINED THAT DOUG WAS WITH

HER AT HER MOTHER'S HOUSE, GETTING READY FOR THE MOVE TO

MARYLAND, AND THAT HIS MOOD CHANGED WHEN THEY GOT INTO AN

ARGUMENT OVER HOW TO PACK THE TRUCK.

>> AND HE, UH, GOT REALLY OFFENDED AND UPSET

>> Reporter: ASHLEY TOLD THE JURY THAT SHE TRIED TO GET DOUG

TO LEAVE, BUT IT ONLY MADE MATTERS WORSE.

>> AND HE STARTED SCREAMING AT ME

HE SAID, "SHUT THE -- UP." HE SAID, "I DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE.

I CAN STAY." >> Reporter: SO ASHLEY SAID SHE

TRIED TO LEAVE BUT DOUG WOULDN'T LET HER.

>> HE SAID, "WHERE THE -- DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?"

>> THEN WHAT HAPPENS >> HE HIT ME IN THE SIDE OF THE

HEAD >> Reporter: SHE SAID SHE FLED

TO HER BEDROOM TO ESCAPE >> WHY

>> BECAUSE I WAS SCARED. >> DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR

ROOM THAT COULD PROTECT YOU? >> I HAD MY GUN.

>> DID YOU GRAB THE GUN? >> YES

HIS FACE WAS RED LIKE, THE VEINS WERE BULGING IN

HIS NECK THE WAY HE WAS LOOKING AT ME, IT

DIDN'T EVEN LOOK LIKE DOUG HIS EYES WERE BLACK.

HE SAID, "YOU'RE -- DONE." HE STARTED COMING TOWARDS ME,

AND THEN HE LUNGED AT ME AND I STARTED PULLING THE

TRIGGER. >> ASHLEY, TELL THE LADIES AND

GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY WHY YOU SHOT DOUG?

>> I WAS SCARED TO DEATH UH, I THOUGHT HE WAS GONNA KILL

ME >> AS YOU SIT HERE TODAY,

ASHLEY, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED?

>> HORRIBLE. HE'S THE FATHER OF MY CHILD.

>> Reporter: HOW DO YOU THINK SHE DID?

>> I THOUGHT SHE DID, UH, WONDERFUL.

ASHLEY SUCCESSFULLY CONVEYED HOW VOLATILE HE WAS, HOW FEARFUL SHE

WAS. >> Reporter: ASHLEY TOOK SOME

TIME TO COMPOSE HERSELF. BUT SHE WASN'T DONE.

SHE WAS ABOUT TO FACE A MUCH MORE HOSTILE INQUISITOR.

>> AND HE STARTED INCHING FORWARD TOWARDS ME

>> WELL, SHOW ME

>> Reporter: ASHLEY BENEFIELD

HAD JUST SPENT TWO EMOTIONAL HOURS ON THE STAND BEING

QUESTIONED BY HER ATTORNEY PROSECUTOR SUZANNE O'DONNELL

DIDN'T BUY IT. >> I DIDN'T BELIEVE MOST OF WHAT

SHE SAID I THOUGHT A LOT OF IT WAS

EXAGGERATED. SHE ACTED EMOTIONAL ABOUT THINGS

THAT I DIDN'T. IT JUST DIDN'T SEEM GENUINE TO

ME >> Reporter: WHAT WAS YOUR GOAL

CROSS-EXAMINING HER? >> HOPEFULLY GET THE JURY TO SEE

WHAT I SAW I ALSO WANTED THEM TO FOCUS ON

WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT ROOM >> Reporter: BUT FIRST O'DONNELL

NEEDED TO CONVINCE JURORS THAT IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE

SHOOTING, ASHLEY HAD NO REASON TO FEAR DOUG

>> DURING THIS TIME YOU'RE PLANNING TO MOVE TO MARYLAND,

UM, THERE'S NO VIOLENCE GOING ON

>> UM, NO. >> HE'S NOT HITTING YOU.

>> NO, MA'AM >> HE'S NOT CHOKING YOU?

>> NO, MA'AM >> HE'S NOT SHOVING YOU AROUND

>> NO, MA'AM >> I WANNA GET TO THE NIGHT THAT

ALL THIS HAPPENED. YOU KNEW DOUG WAS COMING OVER?

>> YES >> YOU INVITED HIM OVER.

>> YES >> YOU WEREN'T CONCERNED ABOUT

HIM COMING OVER? >> UH, NO, I KNEW HE WAS COMING

OVER >> YOU WEREN'T SO AFRAID THAT

YOU WANTED YOUR MOTHER TO STAY THERE AND WATCH?

>> UM, NO, WE WERE JUST PACKING TO MOVE.

>> OKAY. SO YOU WEREN'T AFRAID?

>> I DEFINITELY DIDN'T EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN

>> Reporter: THE PROSECUTOR THEN MOVED ON TO THE MOMENTS RIGHT

BEFORE ASHLEY PULLED THE TRIGGER.

>> YOU SAY HE SLAPPED YOU? >> HE -- HE HIT ME

>> WAS HIS HAND OPEN OR CLOSED >> I DON'T REMEMBER.

>> AND BECAUSE OF THE -- THOSE THINGS, YOU CLAIMED THAT YOU

THOUGHT HE WAS GONNA KILL YOU? >> HE HAD NEVER HIT ME BEFORE.

HE WOULDN'T LET ME LEAVE I TRIED TO LEAVE

HE STOPPED ME. >> THE -- THE QUESTION IS, YOU

THOUGHT HE WAS GONNA KILL YOU? >> YEAH.

>> Reporter: PROSECUTORS SAY THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THEY FELT

SOMETHING WAS MISSING FROM ASHLEY'S SHAKING AND SOBBING ON

THE STAND. >> I KEPT ASKING HER

I SAID, "I DON'T SEE ANY TEARS DO YOU SEE ANY TEARS?"

>> Reporter: O'DONNELL DIDN'T MENTION IT IN COURT.

INSTEAD SHE TRIED A MORE SUBTLE WAY TO BRING IT TO THE JURY'S

ATTENTION. >> CAN WE TURN THE LIGHTS UP,

PLEASE >> Reporter: YOU HAD SOMEONE IN

THE COURTROOM TURN THE LIGHTS UP

>> OH, YES I -- I DID DO THAT

>> Reporter: I MEAN, THAT'S -- WOW.

>> WELL, I - >> Reporter: I HAVE NEVER HEARD

THAT BEFORE IN ANY OF THE CASES THAT I'VE COVERED ON "DATELINE."

AND DID SHE HAVE ANY TEARS >> NO.

>> NO. >> NOT ONE

>> Reporter: THE PROSECUTOR THEN ASKED ASHLEY TO STEP OFF THE

STAND AND REENACT WHAT SHE SAID COMPELLED HER TO USE DEADLY

FORCE. >> AND HE STARTED, LIKE, INCHING

FORWARD TOWARDS ME >> WELL, SHOW ME

WHAT WAS HE DOING? >> AND, LIKE, I KNOW HE GOT LIKE

THIS I MEAN, WAS, LIKE, MAKING, LIKE,

FIGHTING MOTIONS I WAS JUST -- I DON'T KNOW

I'M NOT A FIGHTER. I DON'T KNOW

>> OKAY. >> IT WAS SCARY.

>> DID HE HAVE HIS HANDS IN FISTS?

>> NOT AT THAT POINT THEY WERE LIKE -- LIKE, I -- I

DON'T KNOW >> WAS HE COMING AT YOU LIKE

THIS >> AND HE LUNGED AT ME

HE CAME VERY QUICKLY >> OKAY.

SO HE LUNGED WAS HIS FIST UP WHEN HE LUNGED

>> I DON'T REMEMBER. >> Reporter: HOW DO YOU THINK

SHE DID WITH THE REENACTMENT >> THIS WAS THE ONE TIME TO TELL

EVERYONE WHAT SCARED YOU SO BADLY THAT YOU FELT LIKE YOU HAD

TO TAKE THIS MAN'S LIFE. AND WE GOT HARDLY ANY

INFORMATION. >> Reporter: IN HER CLOSING,

SUZANNE O'DONNELL ASKED THE JURY NOT TO BE SWAYED BY ASHLEY'S

PERFORMANCE. >> DID YOU EVER SEE ONE TEAR

COME OUT OF HER EYES DID YOU EVER SEE ONE DROP OF

LIQUID, ONE RED EYE, ONE SWOLLEN EYE, THAT GOES TO HER

CREDIBILITY? >> I'VE PRESENTED TO YOU

EVERYTHING THAT I POSSIBLY COULD TO SHOW YOU THAT HER ACTION IN

USING DEADLY FORCE WAS REASONABLE

>> Reporter: JURORS LEFT THE COURTROOM TO DELIBERATE.

THEY COULD FIND ASHELY GUILTY OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER,

MANSLAUGHTER, OR THEY COULD SET HER FREE

SIX HOURS LATER, A NOTE TO THE JUDGE.

THE JURY WAS DEADLOCKED. >> MEMBERS OF THE JURY, I'VE

RECEIVED A NOTE FROM YOU THAT SAYS, "UNABLE TO COME TO A

UNANIMOUS VERDICT. >> Reporter: YOU'VE PUT YOUR

HEART AND SOUL INTO THIS CASE. >> YES

>> Reporter: AND THEN -- >> YES

>> Reporter: -- YOU HEAR THAT. >> IT WAS HEARTBREAKING, TO SAY

THE LEAST, IF THEY WERE IN FACT GOING TOWARDS BEING HUNG

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST FEARS FOR US WAS A MISTRIAL.

>> Reporter: IT WAS 10:00 P.M. THE JUDGE ASKED THE JURY TO KEEP

TRYING AND JUST ONE HOUR LATER, A

VERDICT. >> WE, THE JURY, FIND THE

DEFENDANT IS GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER, THE LESSER

INCLUDED OFFENSE >> Reporter: GUILTY OF

MANSLAUGHTER NOT GUILTY OF SECOND-DEGREE

MURDER WHAT'S ASHLEY'S REACTION IN THAT

MOMENT SHE FEELS CRUSHED.

YOU'RE TALKING ALSO ABOUT A MOTHER WITH A 6-YEAR-OLD CHILD

>> Reporter: WAS JUSTICE SERVED -

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> Reporter: -- WITH THIS

VERDICT? >> ABSOLUTELY WAS.

>> Reporter: DAVID SAYS DOUG'S DAUGHTER EVA FEELS THE SAME WAY.

AFTER THE VERDICT, SHE SPOKE TO REPORTERS OUTSIDE THE

COURTHOUSE >> I APOLOGIZE TO ALL THE WOMEN

WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS.

I THINK THAT WHAT ASHLEY WAS DOING WAS UNFAIR TO THEM

THEY DESERVE JUSTICE, AND I'M VERY HAPPY THAT MY DAD GOT THE

JUSTICE THAT HE DESERVES >> Reporter: ASHLEY BENEFIELD

LEFT THE COURTROOM IN HANDCUFFS. THE FORMER BALLERINA WHO ONCE

HAD BIG DREAMS NOW FACES UP TO 30 YEARS BEHIND BARS

SHE WILL BE SENTENCED NEXT MONTH.

AS FOR EMERSON, NOW WITHOUT EITHER PARENT, SHE'S BEING CARED

FOR BY ASHLEY'S MOTHER THE SAD IRONY, THE CUSTODY

BATTLE CONTINUES >> NO CHILD CAN GO FROM THEIR

MOTHER AND THEIR GRANDMOTHER TO OUR FAMILY IN A SINGLE STEP.

BUT WE WANT TO BE A PART OF THE CHILD'S LIFE

>> Reporter: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL HER ABOUT HER FATHER IF SHE WAS

SOMEDAY WATCHING THIS? >> I WOULD TELL HER THAT SHE,

UH, HAD THE GREATEST DAD THAT SHE COULD EVER HAVE IMAGINED AND

THAT HE TRULY LOVED HER. >>> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION

OF "DATELINE." AND CHECK OUT OUR "TALKING

'DATELINE'" PODCAST. ANDREA CANNING AND

BLAYNE ALEXANDER WILL GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF TONIGHT'S EPISODE,

AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY IN THE "DATELINE" FEED, WHEREVER YOU

GET YOUR PODCASTS. WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY

AT 9:00, 8:00 CENTRAL. I'M LESTER HOLT.

FOR ALL OF US AT NBC NEWS, GOOD