This week marks significant developments in three high-profile homicide cases involving women convicted of killing their partners: Sarah Boone, Ashley Benefield, and Melody Farris.
Sarah Boone: “Suitcase Killer” Sentencing
Sarah Boone, 47, is scheduled for sentencing today in Orlando, Florida, after being found guilty of second-degree murder in October for the 2020 death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr. Boone claimed they were playing a drunken game of hide-and-seek when she zipped Torres into a suitcase, leaving him inside overnight. Prosecutors presented cellphone videos showing Torres pleading for help while Boone taunted him. Boone faces a minimum of 22 and a half years and up to life in prison.
Ashley Benefield: “Black Swan” Manslaughter Conviction
Ashley Benefield, a 33-year-old former ballerina, was convicted of manslaughter in July for the 2020 fatal shooting of her husband, Doug Benefield, in Florida. Initially charged with second-degree murder, she claimed self-defense, alleging abuse. The jury found her guilty of the lesser charge. Benefield’s sentencing, originally set for October, was postponed due to a motion for a retrial alleging juror misconduct. The new sentencing date is December 3, where she faces up to 30 years in prison.
Melody Farris: “Burned Pile” Murder Conviction
In Cherokee County, Georgia, 64-year-old Melody Walker Farris was found guilty in November of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, concealing a death, and making a false statement in the 2018 death of her husband, Gary Wayne Farris. Prosecutors argued that marital strife, including affairs and financial issues, led her to shoot her husband and burn his body on their property. Farris’s sentencing is scheduled for the first week of December.
These cases highlight the complexities of domestic violence, self-defense claims, and the legal system’s handling of such matters.
