In the summer of 2016, 24-year-old ballerina Ashley Byers and 54-year-old veteran-turned-entrepreneur Doug Benefield struck up a conversation at a party for a p...
COMING MARCH 24 - When Luigi Mangione was arrested for allegedly shooting UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, it sent shockwaves across the country, but the aftermath was even more unsettling. While mainstream media condemned the act as a brutal murder, a very different narrative was taking shape online—one that questioned the true villains in this story. Was the alleged shooter a violent extremist, or had he become an unwitting symbol of something much larger? Hosted by Law&Crime's Jesse Weber, LUIGI is more than just a true crime investigation—it's an exploration of a uniquely American moment. As this case continues to unfold in real-time, this series steps beyond the headline-grabbing "crime of the decade" angle to examine the cultural reckoning it has triggered. At its core, LUIGI captures a shifting America at a tipping point. From the public's growing disillusionment with corporate power to the radicalization of online discourse,—this is a story about what happens when the powerless begin to push back. LUIGI dissects the moral, political, and cultural divide at the heart of this case. Wherever this case goes, Law&Crime will provide you with all angles of the case; from those who have condemned the suspect and the crime, to others celebrating the act as revolutionary. With exclusive interviews, courtroom documents, and in-depth coverage, we challenge you to decide: Is the status quo enough, or is it time for a cultural reckoning?Listen to the FULL trailer for Law&Crime’s LUIGI on Wondery+ and anywhere you get your podcasts. Follow the show page to keep up on all the latest developments. You can join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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1:00
Facing the Music: 6
Nearly four years after the death of Doug Benefield, Ashley finally has her day in court. Her fate hinges on whether the jury believes Ashley’s claims of abuse and fear, or if the prosecution successfully shows that Doug’s death was unjustified and perhaps premeditated.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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1:11:05
The Silent Witness: 5
The investigation into Doug’s death begins. While Ashley claims self-defense, evidence suggests premeditation. She embarks on an uphill battle to make her case as prosecutors simultaneously build one against her. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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38:42
Mama Bear Mode: 4
Ashley’s on a warpath. Her allegations against Doug don’t end with the note she left for him in Charleston. In fact, she’s just getting started. And when their child is born, the battle between them intensifies, culminating in a shocking final showdown. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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43:14
Meet the Benefields: 3
Ashley and Doug’s relationship takes off just as swiftly as their ballet company, and similarly begins experiencing tumult from the jump. As Ashley struggles to connect with Doug’s daughter, Eva, home life takes a violent turn. Complicating matters further, amidst building a business and attempts to patch things over at home, the Benefields learn they’ll soon be making room for one more. Overwhelmed by all the moving parts, Ashley makes a sudden move, but not without throwing another iron into the fire. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In the summer of 2016, 24-year-old ballerina Ashley Byers and 54-year-old veteran-turned-entrepreneur Doug Benefield struck up a conversation at a party for a presidential contender. They say it was love at first sight – despite the thirty year age gap. And within just thirteen days of meeting – shocking everyone they knew – the two were married.A family wasn’t the only thing they set out to build; together, they dream up a wave-making ballet company: the American National Ballet. With a mission and a promise to turn the ballet world upside down with dancers of varying ethnicities, body types, and racial backgrounds, in just two years, the Benefields assembled a troupe of nearly 50 dancers from across the globe, with an annual budget of $2.5 million dollars to back their dance revolution. But just months into the company’s formation, it collapses. And the money isn’t the only thing unaccounted for: Ashley is nowhere to be found. And when she finally emerges, Ashley forges a violent path that leaves two young girls without a father.From Law and Crime, BLACK SWAN MURDER is the story of a seemingly picture-perfect marriage that turned out to be anything but. Over the course of six episodes, a tale of betrayal and desire unfolds: a woman pushed to her limits, culminating in a gripping crime of passion. But was it an act of vengeance—or a desperate fight for survival? The answer depends on who you ask. In key interviews with investigators, attorneys and those with a front row seat to the Benefields’ turbulent partnership, BLACK SWAN MURDER traces the twisted path of Ashley and Doug Benefield, weaving a years-long timeline of violent behavior and conspiracy-fueled tendencies that ultimately turned a poised and disciplined ballerina into a cold-blooded killer.
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