Unnamed Friend

Guilty of manslaughter. Not guilty of second-degree murder. What's Ashley's reaction in that moment?

She feels crushed. You're talking also about a mother with a six-year-old child.

She feels crushed. You're talking also about a mother with a six-year-old child.

Was justice served? Absolutely. Absolutely it was.

Was justice served? Absolutely. Absolutely it was.

David says Doug's daughter Eva feels the same way. After the verdict, she spoke to reporters outside the courthouse.

David says Doug's daughter Eva feels the same way. After the verdict, she spoke to reporters outside the courthouse.

Ashley Benefield left the courtroom in handcuffs. The former ballerina, who once had big dreams, now faces up to 30 years behind bars. She will be sentenced next month. As for Emerson, now without either parent, she's being cared for by Ashley's mother. The sad irony, the custody battle continues.

Ashley Benefield left the courtroom in handcuffs. The former ballerina, who once had big dreams, now faces up to 30 years behind bars. She will be sentenced next month. As for Emerson, now without either parent, she's being cared for by Ashley's mother. The sad irony, the custody battle continues.

No child can go from their mother and their grandmother to our family in a single step, but we want to be a part of the child's life.

No child can go from their mother and their grandmother to our family in a single step, but we want to be a part of the child's life.

What would you tell her about her father if she was someday watching this?

What would you tell her about her father if she was someday watching this?

I would tell her that she had the greatest dad that she could ever have imagined and that he truly loved her. I love you.

I would tell her that she had the greatest dad that she could ever have imagined and that he truly loved her. I love you.

She came right out and said your family was responsible.

She came right out and said your family was responsible.

There must have been a little thrill in the air that autumn night in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

There must have been a little thrill in the air that autumn night in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

It was October 29th, 2011, two nights to Halloween when they gathered to celebrate in their costumes and their masks. To hide their secrets, perhaps? But certainly to make a new one, the darkest secret of them all.