Jury selection begins in murder trial of Lakewood Ranch mother

BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) — Jury selection begins on Monday in the murder trial of Lakewood Ranch mother Ashley Benefield, who is accused of killing her estranged husband nearly four years ago, claiming it was self-defense.

Authorities were called to a Lakewood Ranch subdivision called Central Park after a 911 caller said his neighbor, Ashley Benefield, ran to his house, claiming she shot her husband Doug after he attacked her.

Five weeks of investigating later, Manatee County Sheriff’s Deputies charged then-28-year-old Benefield with the second-degree murder of her 59-year-old husband. A sheriff’s office report found bullet entry wounds on Doug indicating he was shot while facing away from his wife, and they found no evidence of self-defense.

The couple was separated at the time of the shooting.

Investigators learned that in the time since Benefield had been pregnant, she made several allegations against her husband, though none of physical violence. Officials said the couple was in the middle of a custody battle over their daughter at the time of the shooting.

In a hearing before the shooting, a judge granted Doug access to the child and said Benefield was lying about her allegations. A law enforcement report stated, “It appears that Ashley had exhausted all legal means of keeping the child away from Douglas before the shooting.”

Last year, Benefield claimed the shooting was a Stand Your Ground case, but the courts ruled that out. Her attorney declined to comment on the case.

The judge told Benefield — who is out on bond right now — that if she is found guilty, she’s facing a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. The trial is expected to last about two weeks.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.