Law&Crime launches new true crime podcast Black Swan Murder

Legal and true crime network Law&Crime is launching the next instalment of its trial-focused podcast series, Black Swan Murder.

Available exclusively on Wondery+, the new series will be hosted by Cooper Moll, writer and producer of Law&Crime’s three previous charting podcasts, Karen, Sins of the Child and The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke.

It details the death of veteran-turned-entrepreneur Doug Benefield at the hands of his gun-toting, professional dancer wife, Ashley Benefield.

The defendant’s position as an alleged victim of domestic abuse and the exploitative ringleader of a doomed ballet business venture was simultaneously explored.

In a case that was all over social media for both its vivid ballet backdrop and the vocal “We Stand With Ashley” movement launched by the defendant’s supporters, the jury was asked to determine whether the ballerina shot her husband out of self-defence or spite.

As the trial wore on, attention shifted to the couple’s secret transgressions – specifically the failed launch of a diversity-oriented ballet company that left a community of dancers jilted and destitute.

Across six episodes, the series gives a detailed legal analysis of a complex string of evidence from Ashley’s recollections of the shooting. The series also explores the deeper issues behind a seemingly picture-perfect marriage full of investment scams, poisoning accusations and several previous gun incidents.

Through interviews with investigators, attorneys and those who witnessed the Benefields’ turbulent partnership, the series weaves together a years-long timeline of violent behaviour and conspiracy-fuelled tendencies that ultimately turned a poised and disciplined ballerina into a cold-blooded killer.

Black Swan Murder is launching as part of Wondery’s Exhibit C brand campaign, which celebrates true crime fandom. The campaign will also feature the expansion of the Law&Crime library on Wondery+

The first two episodes of Black Swan Murder will be released on Monday 14 October.

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