Preparedness
Ex-Ballerina’s Guilty Verdict Sends Tremors Through Gun-Owner Community
Ashley Benefield, a former ballerina of 33 years, was found guilty in what has been dubbed the “Black Swan” murder trial. Benefield was convicted for the killing of her 58-year-old estranged husband, Doug Benefield, who she shot at her mother’s home in Bradenton, Florida, in 2020.
The couple had a whirlwind romance, meeting at a Republican Party fundraiser in 2016. At that time, Ashley was a young 24-year-old ballerina, and Doug was a 54-year-old Navy veteran and technology consultant. They tied the knot only 13 days after their first encounter.
Though charged with second-degree murder, a Manatee County jury in a Florida courtroom found Benefield guilty of the lesser crime of manslaughter. This crime carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years in Florida. After the guilty verdict was announced, the presiding judge rescinded Benefield’s $100,000 bond and handed her over to the custody of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Her sentencing date remains unknown.
Benefield’s defense, led by attorney Neil Taylor, argued that the fatal shooting was in self-defense. Taylor painted a picture of Doug as an abusive husband, stating that his client had filed numerous complaints about his abusive behavior with no subsequent action taken by authorities.
“Thirty years older than Ashley, he was obsessed with her, and he successfully portrayed himself as he was not in an effort to win her hand in marriage,” Taylor told the courtroom. He further alleged that Doug was a controlling, manipulative, and cunning man who regularly carried a loaded firearm.
“The only thing that is going to have been established here beyond a reasonable doubt is that Douglas Benefield was a violent abuser, Ashley Benefield’s efforts to placate him [were] absolutely consistent with what abused women do, especially when a child is involved, and that Ashley’s result and resource to deadly force was justified under the circumstances,” Taylor argued.
Their relationship seemed idyllic in the early days, according to Doug’s 23-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, Eva Benefield. “They were just with each other all the time. It was very lovey-dovey. They were very touchy-feely PDAs. Any event with school or extracurricular that I was in, they were together. They never left each other’s side,” Eva said.
A year after their wedding, Ashley was pregnant, and the couple had embarked on Ashley’s dream endeavor — the establishment of a ballet company. However, the relationship started to unravel and led to a court order that restricted the couple from contacting each other.
In the throes of this turmoil, Ashley moved from their South Carolina residence to her mother’s home in Florida while pregnant. She sought a domestic violence injunction against Doug, which would prevent him from seeing their child.
The state prosecutor, Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O’Donnell, portrayed the case as a custody battle that Ashley was determined to win at all costs. “The cost was the life of Doug Benefield, and that is murder,” she argued.
The fatal incident occurred on September 27, 2020, when Doug was allegedly assisting Ashley with moving. An argument ensued, leading Ashley to retrieve a handgun. She claimed that Doug slapped her, blocked her from leaving, and lunged at her, prompting her to shoot him.
Right after the incident, Benefield ran to her neighbor, John Sant’s house, and told him that Doug had attacked her. Sant’s 911 call was played during the trial, capturing Sant’s attempts to calm Ashley down.
However, the prosecutor, O’Donnell, argued that there was no evidence to support Ashley’s claim of physical assault. In contradiction to Ashley’s claim that Doug lunged at her, O’Donnell pointed out that the fatal bullet entered Doug’s body from the side, suggesting he wasn’t facing Ashley when she started shooting.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Dad’s Heroic Fight Saves Son from Mountain Lion Attack
A California family experienced a terrifying ordeal during their Labor Day picnic when their 5-year-old son was attacked by a mountain lion. The incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Tapia Day Use Area of Malibu State Creek Park in Calabasas, as reported by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office.
The boy’s family and several other adults and children were enjoying their time when the mountain lion suddenly grabbed the child by the head and began to run.
“Somebody screamed the baby’s name, and his dad started running,” the boy’s aunt recounted.
“The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.”
The dramatic rescue unfolded in front of about 40 onlookers, some of whom noted that the mountain lion appeared completely unafraid during the attack.
Male mountain lions can weigh up to 150 pounds and measure up to 8 feet in length, making the father’s actions even more heroic.
The boy was promptly airlifted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He was released later that Sunday but had to return to the hospital on Monday due to complications involving his eyes.
Upon arrival at the scene, California State Park rangers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers found the mountain lion crouched in a tree near the picnic area.
The animal was deemed a threat to public safety and was euthanized by a ranger.
Wildlife officers collected evidence from the boy’s injuries, including DNA swabs from the bite marks, which were matched to the mountain lion.
“CDFW and State Park officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured,” the CDFW stated.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Oakland Chao: Gunfire With No Police In Sight While Residents Fear For Safety
Just a month ago, five individuals were injured during a chaotic street takeover in Oakland. These unruly events, commonly referred to as “sideshows,” involve drivers blocking intersections and performing dangerous stunts like peeling out and burning rubber, all while large crowds gather to watch and record the spectacle.
Early Saturday morning, Oakland experienced yet another street takeover. This one lasted an hour and included participants firing guns into the air, all of which was captured on video. Shocked residents complained about the absence of police, as reported by KTVU-TV.
“We know that we don’t have enough police officers. … We can’t afford it.”
A video report shows what appears to be cellphone footage of individuals discharging firearms during the sideshow. Residents expressed their fear that stray bullets might cause serious injuries or worse.
“I just heard gunshots, like gunshots coming from all directions, people trying to hide. They just fire up in the air, and you don’t know where it’s going to land,” a neighbor who requested anonymity told the station.
This resident was among several who mentioned that such sideshows near 98th Avenue and Empire Boulevard have become routine occurrences.
“Like a whole hour. No police. I didn’t hear no sirens at all. … Some people were on top of that house’s roof. There were fireworks included. There were blue lasers, green lasers,” another neighbor revealed to the station.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Police Chief Floyd Mitchell have made appearances at recent town halls, promising to take more action against these sideshows. Potential solutions discussed include using new technologies like drones and cameras, as well as enlisting the help of the California Highway Patrol.
“We know that we don’t have enough police officers,” the mayor said at one town hall, according to KTVU. “We can’t afford it, but that doesn’t mean that we use that as an excuse or reason not to be sure that people feel safe.”
Chief Mitchell noted that police are “working hard to try to curb this activity. We have a sideshow detail that goes out every Friday and Saturday,” the station reported.
Mitchell also mentioned that redesigned intersections could potentially help, but KTVU reported that residents near Saturday’s sideshow are still waiting for city leaders to fulfill their promises.
“I’ve been here my whole life, and it has changed, it has changed so much, and it’s frustrating because it seems like they don’t care,” a neighbor told the station.
KTVU said it reached out to both the police and the mayor’s office for comments on the residents’ concerns about local crime, but the station did not receive a response in time for its report.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Chicago Mom Defends Daughter from Intruder with Concealed-Carry Firearm
A mother from Chicago, who holds a concealed-carry license, found herself in a harrowing situation over the weekend when she had to use her firearm to protect her daughter.
The incident occurred at the family’s South Shore apartment late Saturday night. The mother, who requested anonymity, shared her experience with WLS-TV.
“That motherly instincts kick in, so as soon as something happens, it’s like fight or flight,” she explained.
Her 18-year-old daughter had just finished bathing and returned to her bedroom shortly before 11 p.m. when she noticed a man attempting to climb through her window.
“So, I put the towel on, and I run out my room, and I ran right there. I’m like, ‘Yo, somebody’s trying to come through my window.’ So, my mom immediately acted on it,” the daughter recounted to the station.
The mother, a long-time concealed-carry license holder, had never fired her gun until that night.
“He was, like, hanging on her window. I just told him that ‘I have a gun. I’m going to shoot.’ And he just didn’t stop. I fired a warning shot. I didn’t even know that he got hit,” she told WLS.
The police later discovered the 36-year-old suspect on East 69th Street near Oglesby, with a gunshot wound to his leg. He was taken to a hospital and was reported to be in fair condition. Charges against him were pending as of Sunday night.
Both the mother and daughter had some stern words for the intruder.
“Next time you think about coming through somebody’s window, you just remember how that bullet felt,” the daughter warned.
Her mother echoed this sentiment, advising, “Try not to be out here committing crimes, especially trying to come into somebody’s house, because you never know what’s on the other side of that window.”
In the aftermath of the incident, the police confiscated the mother’s firearm.
This event highlights the importance of preparedness and the potential consequences of criminal actions, especially when intruding into someone’s home.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Carl
August 3, 2024 at 12:22 pm
Maybe, just maybe, he turned at the last second realizing she was going to shoot. President Trump is a perfect example of how that works. If he hadnt turned he would be dead. Unfortunately or fortunately, it didnt work for this guy🤔
David Veselenak
August 3, 2024 at 1:28 pm
Bitch got away with murder, that simple! There is now a plethora of ” domestic violence” KILLINGS. aka MURDERS that are being invoked! It’s easy to portray this when the so-called perpetrator is not able to repute the charges which now are made-up fairy tales! I don’t see someone that was kind enough to assist in her/it’s moving all of a sudden turning into an ogre! This bitch got away with murder, as have several others that hadn’t reported such behavior by their spouse! WTFU, TRANSFORMED and TRANSGENDERED AMERIKA, you’ve been had, hope your glad as your demise neighs!
Don
August 3, 2024 at 3:18 pm
She should have just left to parts unknown. Now she is going to jail and he is dead. We will never know the real story.
Holly
August 3, 2024 at 7:28 pm
I side with the woman, she was pregnant & left to stay at her mothers, she tried to get away from him. Abusers can be very controlling & manipulating, I say this from past experiences. They try to keep you from your friends & family. They tear you down mentally & emotionally & physically. Horrible that she has to spend time in prison & hopefully her mother can keep the baby for her & he does not get custody!
Don
August 4, 2024 at 10:20 am
Knowing that part of the country as I do I’d tend to believe her story. Abuse is common.
Bill Clay
August 23, 2024 at 10:00 pm
Based on the critical evidence the 12 jurors agreed she made a bad choice by choosing manslaughter. She trusted him to help move.