BREAKING: Ashley Benefield found GUILTY in 'Black Swan murder trial' | LiveNOW from FOX

A Florida former ballerina Ashley Benefield was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of her husband, Doug Benefield.

The jury's late night verdict on a lesser charge came after about seven hours of deliberations.

Benefield was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her estranged husband, Doug, in 2020. Benefield argued she shot him in self-defense.

During closing arguments, Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O'Donnell challenged Benefield's claim, using her recorded actions to show Doug did not physically abuse her until Sept. 27, 2020, the day of the shooting.

Ashley testified in her defense last week, saying Doug became upset after noticing their items were mixed together, eventually hitting her as they argued.

That's when Ashley said she ran into her room and armed herself with a gun, at which point she claimed Doug followed her and she feared for her life as she opened fire.

No sentencing date has been set.

In Florida, manslaughter carries a 15-year maximum prison sentence. She would have faced 25 years to life behind bars if she had been convicted of second-degree murder.

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