Supporting Ashley Benefield

A Mother's Fight for Justice and Life

When Ashley Benefield found herself in a moment of terror, defending herself from her abusive husband Doug, she couldn't have imagined the journey ahead. Today, this devoted mother from Sarasota, Florida faces 20 years in prison and painful separation from her precious 7-year-old daughter Emerson, as she fights for justice through a critical legal appeal.

The Bible calls us to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" (Proverbs 31:8), and in Ashley's case, we must speak up for Ashley and for Emerson. This is about truth, justice, and the sanctity of family.

The trial that led to Ashley's conviction was marked by troubling irregularities. Despite clear DNA evidence proving Doug had grabbed her during their final confrontation, the trial judge prevented this crucial evidence from reaching the jury. The jury itself initially couldn't reach a verdict, but under pressure to continue deliberating into the evening hours, they ultimately returned with a compromise verdict of manslaughter—a conviction that now threatens to take away two decades of Ashley's life.

As Psalm 82:3 reminds us to "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed," we must stand with Ashley and Emerson in their hour of need. Evidence that supported Ashley's self-defense claim never made it to the courtroom. Now, through the appeals process, there's hope to present the complete truth. A Board Certified Criminal Appellate Attorney has identified significant issues warranting appeal, including juror misconduct and the exclusion of key evidence that could mean the difference between freedom and a 20-year sentence.

Every night, young Emerson kneels beside her bed, praying for her mama's return. For Ashley, each day away from her daughter feels like an eternity, but she maintains unwavering faith that the appellate court will see what the trial jury couldn't – the full truth of that fateful day. The stakes couldn't be higher: not just years lost to imprisonment, but irreplaceable moments of her daughter's childhood.

The path to justice through appeal requires resources that few families can manage alone. Your support helps ensure that every piece of evidence, every legal argument, and every fact supporting Ashley's self-defense claim will be properly presented to the appellate court. This isn't just about overturning a conviction—it's about saving a mother's life and preserving a family's future.

This is a mother's fight for her life, her freedom, and her right to return home to her daughter. It's a pursuit of truth and a stand for justice. With your help, Ashley can present her complete case to the appellate court, potentially saving her from a 20-year prison sentence and reuniting this family torn apart by tragedy.

The path to justice through appeal requires immediate action and resources. Ashley has secured William Ponall, a Florida Board Certified Criminal Appellate Attorney, with an initial deposit of $20,000. However, the remaining $100,000 for attorney fees, appellate filing fees, trial records, and transcript costs must be paid by Friday, February 21, 2025. This deadline is critical – without these funds, Ashley's chance to present her full case to the appellate court could be lost forever.

https://www.westandwithashley.com/