Self-Defense

In some cases of assault and murder, the defendant claims they had no choice but to act to protect themselves or others.


Red headed lawyer holds photo of motorcycle
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Courtney Clenney sits in court
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Alexander Deltoro booking photo
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Courtney Clenney sits with her attorneys in court
split screen of Chad Richards and Kara Welsh
Alexander Deltoro has trail delayed until Sept. 10.
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Fatal Family Birthday Trial Delayed

Alexander Deltoro Jr. is accused of fatally shooting his mother, Cindy Deltoro, while she was breaking up a fight between him and his father. More

September 3, 2024

Ashley Benefield sits in court
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woman stands in courtroom
Susan Lorincz is seen in a police interview room
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Prosecutor points to defendant in court
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Christine Ricci sits in court during closing arguments.
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Ashley Benefield found guilty of manslaughter.
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Ashley Benefield sits in court room.
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Black and white photo of Ashley Benefield
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Ashley Benefield takes the stand in her defense.
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Woman sobbing on one side with an attorney with glasses looking down on the other side
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Texts between Ashley and Doug Benefield shown in court.
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Detective Chris Gillum, a domestic violence investigator, takes the stand.
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Judge Matt Whyte admonishes defense attorney Neil Taylor.
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Sheriff, defendant combo image
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woman testifies
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Doug Benefield's daughter, Eva Benefield, takes the stand on day one of the Black Swan Murder Trial. Ashley Benefield is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her husband, Douglas Benefield.
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John Sant takes the stand in the Black Swan Murder Trial. Sant, Ashley Benefield's neighbor at the time of the shooting, takes the stand as the jury listens to the 911 call he made on Ashley's behalf.
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woman escorted from court
The jury is selected in the Black Swan Murder Trial. Ashley Benefield is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her husband, Doug Benefield. Ashley claims she shot her husband in self-defense.
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attorney speaks to judge
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Jury selection is slated to begin in late July in the Black Swan Murder Trial where Ashley Benefield is accused in the shooting death of her husband, Doug. Benefield claims self-defense, while prosecutors say it was about a custody dispute.
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Doug Benefield's former attorney, Stephanie Murphy, joins Court TV to discuss the status of the family court case that occurred before Ashley Benefield killed her husband, Doug.
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woman testifies
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Court TV speaks with Doug Benefield's cousin, Tommie Benefield. Tommie speaks about the circumstances in which Doug and Ashley were purportedly reconciling and on the verge of withdrawing the divorce petition and move to Maryland together up until he was killed.
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