Sneak peek: The Case of the Black Swan (Part 2) | Forensic Files

[Music] morning and now the trial of the former ballerina accused of shooting and
killing her rest strange husband is set to begin Ashley Benfield is on trial for
the murder of her husband in the so-called Black Swan murder case after so long since the murder I was really
excited a little bit anxious about the trial that we were finally going to get some answers okay bring the
jury when you think of the term Black Swan you think of the movie Black Swan I definitely think it was AP for
this case because you have somebody who the prosecution is claiming is a fem FAL the former ballerina and bikini
model married 54-year-old Doug Benfield after a whirlwind 13-day romance on the early evening of
September 27th 20120 Ashley Benfield was scared to death and felt she had no choice but to defend herself I could see
how upset he was getting I was trying to get him to leave he is simmering when he
arrives at Ashley's home he's on a slow boil actually because he knows that this
relationship is over he started screaming at me he said I don't have to leave I can stay and spend the night if
I want to cuz I'm your husband Doug Benfield viewed Ashley Benfield as is his property he said you can't fing
leave me then what happens he hit me in the side of the head I ran where to my room Ashley did
you have anything in your room that could protect you I had my gun Doug was standing in the
doorway his face was red like the veins were bulging in his neck Bo he was looking at me he didn't even
look like dog I held the gun like in front of me and I I said stop he started coming towards me and
then he lunged at me there was a effort by the defense to paint Ashley as the victim and the thing is Doug is the
victim in this case Doug was the one that was murdered you say he slapped you he hit me was his hand open or closed I
don't remember this was an act you grab your firearm is it in a holster uh I don't remember somebody has
a story and when it's not true and you call them on the details they often say I don't remember so he lunged was his
fist up when he led I don't remember I believe Ashley Beni was an abused woman she just came over her strength husband
attacked her and she says she shot him deadly force was absolutely Justified under the
circumstances whenever the defendant takes a stand in a criminal case it is always a huge risk it's either you are
acquitted or you walk yourself right into prison I thought he was going to kill me there was nowhere to go I was
trapped [Music]

ENCORE: The former ballerina dubbed "The Black Swan" tells her story of why she shot and killed her estranged husband. Contributor Jim Axelrod reports in a special two-part "48 Hours" airing Saturday, July 26 starting at at 9/8c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Crime. Social justice. Impact. "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives.

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Brief Summary

Ashley Benfield's trial examines her claim of self-defense in the murder of her husband amid allegations of domestic abuse.

Key points

The Black Swan Murder Case. Ashley Benfield is on trial for the murder of her husband, Doug Benfield, in a case reminiscent of the film 'Black Swan.'
A Night of Terror. Ashley recounts the terrifying night when she felt she had to defend herself against her husband.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

I was scared to death and felt I had no choice but to defend myself.

Ashley Benfield describes her fear during the incident.

0:56WatchSep 5, 2024

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