Ashley Benefield murder trial continues as witnesses dive into her relationship with husband

In day two within the homicide trial towards Ashley, jurors heard how Doug tried to remain involved along with her by means of testimony from a Manatee County Sheriff’s Workplace detective and a Sarasota lawyer. However, she went silent after shifting to Florida whereas pregnant. 

“She made a remark, one thing to the impact of ‘if the choose sees you arrest him it will assist me maintain my child,'” Gillum instructed the jurors whereas testifying on Wednesday. 

Pictured: Detective Chris Gillum.

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“In my 12 years of doing this, I had by no means had anyone ask me to arrest anyone in entrance of a choose contained in the courtroom,” the detective stated. 

Whereas Doug remained in South Carolina, he contacted Sarasota lawyer Stephanie Murphy for assist in contacting his estranged spouse. When she testified on Wednesday, Murphy instructed the jury that the aim of the letter was to open the door for dialogue for Doug’s participation within the upcoming start of their baby. 

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Pictured: Legal professional Stephanie Murphy.

“The most important allegation was that he was poisoning her and their baby in utero with heavy metals,” she stated. 

Pictured: Doug and Ashley. 

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Jurors additionally heard from Ashley’s mom and an in depth buddy who’s a licensed scientific social employee. Each instructed the jury that from the time of the capturing on, Ashley by no means shared any particulars with them about what occurred again in September 2020.