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State rests case in ex-ballerina murder trial
Prosecutors rested their case on Thursday in the case against Ashley Benefield, who’s accused of killing her husband, Doug, in Manatee County.
BRADENTON, Fla. - Text messages between Doug and Ashley Benefield took center stage on Thursday as the prosecution wrapped up its case in the so-called ‘Black Swan’ murder trial.
As they prepared to move from Florida to Maryland, Doug and Ashley Benefield sent several text messages back and forth.
"There’s an additional message after that and we have a joint session with Dr. Q to wrap up our adventure in Florida," said Sgt. Brian Quiles with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
READ: Ashley Benefield murder trial continues as witnesses dive into her relationship with husband
The couple made plans to visit Selby Gardens and Doug Benefield sent morning Bible verses.
Investigators say Doug Benefield sent his wife Bible verses before he was shot to death.
A video shown to the jury appeared to show them happy as they played a game. The couple appeared to be working together on the move.
"Everything in, except couch and 10 medium boxes and tutu cab, lol," stated a text that was read to the jury.
READ: Ashley Benefield trial: Testimony begins for Bradenton mother accused in husband’s death
These were the messages the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office extracted from their phones after Doug Benefield was killed on September 27, 2020.
Jurors were read text messages between the Benefield's during court on Thursday.
"He responds with trucker on the way at 5:32 p.m.," said Sgt. Quiles.
"At 5:32 p.m., was that the last communication between those two?" asked the prosecution.
"I believe so. Yes," responded Sgt. Quiles.
Shortly after that text, Ashley Benefield claims she shot Doug Benefiled in self-defense after he attacked her.
Ashley Benefield says she shot her husband in self-defense.
But the prosecution said Ashley Benefield was working to keep their daughter away from Doug Benefield, following a heated custody battle.
"The evidence is much, much more and much more acute and cooperative of an abused woman’s fear. Here we have in her quiet, most private moment. What is she doing five months before the shooting? She is searching for how to get along with an abusive ex-spouse," stated her defense attorney Neil Taylor.
READ: Ashley Benefield trial: Testimony begins for Bradenton mother accused in husband’s death
Judge Matt Whyte denied those searches from being shown to the jury, saying they were hearsay.
Ashley Benefield sits in court as the prosecution presents its case.
The jury also heard from an FDLE crime lab analyst who told them there was no evidence of gunshot residue on Doug’s shirt.
"Any observations that indicated to you that this shirt was involved in a shooting at all?" asked the prosecution.
"Just besides the hole? No ma’am," said the analyst.
Pictured: Doug and Ashley.
Which could mean a few things he said, including Doug was not at close range when Ashley fired the shots that killed him.
"It could be too far away to produce onto the shirt itself," he said.
The prosecution rested their case after testimony from the FDLE analyst.
The defense will start its case on Friday morning.
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