Black Swan Murder Trial: Ashley Benefield (Pt 1 of 4)

The Black Swan Murder Trial (Part 1): The Start of The Fairytale Retired Navy pilot Doug Benefield lost his wife from heart complications in December of 2015, when their daughter Eva was only 14 years old.  Nine months later, Doug meets Ashley Byers at a political fundraiser. After only 13 days, the 54 year old businessman marries the 24 year old former ballerina, during a secret ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina.  Together they founded American National Ballet company, but after less than a year of marriage, Ashley walked out on Doug, and the company, on the day it was set to launch.  Less than one year together resulted in three years of court and custody battles. There were allegations of domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, and even poisoning. In September of 2020, Doug was at Ashley's mom's house, helping load a U-Haul to move across country, when Ashley shot and killed him. She claimed self-defense, though she had no injuries and said Doug had never hit her before. Was this self-defense in a toxic relationship, or a murder over custody battle?

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This podcast is made for True Crime & Justice Junkies. We go through the court documents, analyze the evidence, watch the trials, break everything down, research it, talk to the experts, and then present it all as a compelling story from start to finish. Season 1: Mainstream media only gives you bits and pieces of the story, but 13th Juror gives it all. Each story takes a current or recent case that has made headlines, and we give insight into the victim, the crime, and the pursuit of justice. Some stories will be told start to finish in one episode, others dive a little deeper and will be presented in a short series. Season 2: "Conspiracy in Canton" Episodes include a deep dive into the controversial case of Karen Read- a woman arrested and charged with the murder of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe in January 2022. The prosecution says she hit John with her car and left him to die in the cold, however Karen's attorneys are alleging there's a coverup involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Every new piece of information brings new questions, and nothing is what it seems. The controversy stretches outward to law enforcement, officials, even the reporters covering the case, and each side accuses the other of a conspiracy. The first trial ended in a hung jury, and as the new trial approaches, the case seems to get wilder and wilder. Exclusive Interviews: The audio versions of interviews Brandi has done with some of the top names in the true crime and legal world. For the video versions, visit Brandi's YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/@brandichurchwell For more information and episode guides, visit http://13thJurorPodcast.com