• WHO: Blaise Taylor, 30, former pro football scout; Jade Benning, 25, the alleged victim.
  • WHAT: Accused of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of felony murder in the alleged poisoning death of Jade Benning and her unborn child.
  • WHERE: Nashville, Tennessee.
  • WHEN: Incident occurred in February 2023; Benning died March 6, 2023; Taylor arrested nearly a year later.
  • STATUS: Trial underway; Taylor has pleaded not guilty and was released on $2.5 million bond.

Blaise Taylor, a former pro football scout and analyst, is currently on trial in Nashville, Tennessee, accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend, Jade Benning, and her unborn child through alleged poisoning in February 2023.

Taylor, 30, faces two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of felony murder. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The alleged victim, Jade Benning, died on her 25th birthday, March 6, 2023, after being hospitalized in late February.

What Happened

According to Court TV, on February 25, 2023, Taylor reportedly called 911 to report that Benning was experiencing what appeared to be an allergic reaction. Benning was then transported to the hospital, where her condition continued to worsen, authorities said. Her unborn baby died on February 27, and Benning herself died on March 6, prosecutors stated, noting she "lingered" and "languished" for several days.

A toxicology report reviewed by Court TV indicated that Benning had cocaine in her system at the time of her death. A medical examiner reportedly testified at a hearing in Taylor’s case that the amount of drugs in Benning's system exceeded what would be consistent with recreational use, WSMV reported. Prosecutors announced in a news release regarding Taylor's charges that Benning was allegedly poisoned "without her knowledge" while Taylor was present at her apartment. During a 2024 bond hearing, Benning's best friend testified, according to WTVF, that she received a late-night phone call from Benning on the night she fell ill. During that call, the friend stated, she heard Benning tell Taylor, “My drink tasted funny, I can’t even walk straight, you did this to do something to the baby.” Taylor was taken into custody nearly a year after Benning's death following months of investigation.

The Charges Explained

Blaise Taylor is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of felony murder. In Tennessee, first-degree murder is generally defined as an intentional, premeditated killing. This charge carries the most severe penalties, including a potential life sentence or the death penalty. Felony murder, also a serious charge, applies when a death occurs during the commission of certain felony offenses, even if the killing was not premeditated. In this case, the two counts likely pertain to the deaths of both Jade Benning and her unborn child, as a fetus can be recognized as a victim under specific state laws.

How These Cases Move Through Court

In Tennessee, as in most state criminal justice systems, a homicide case typically begins with arrest and charges, followed by an arraignment where the defendant is formally informed of the charges and enters a plea. Given the severity of the charges, a grand jury would likely review the evidence to determine if there is sufficient probable cause for an indictment, which formally initiates the trial process. Pre-trial motions and discovery, where both sides exchange evidence, occur before the trial itself. During the trial, prosecutors present their case, followed by the defense. If convicted, sentencing occurs. If acquitted, the defendant is released. Appeals may follow a conviction.

Context & Background

At the time of his arrest, Taylor was employed as a senior defensive analyst for the Utah State University football team. Prior to his tenure in Utah, Taylor worked as a scouting assistant and subsequently as a pro scout for the Tennessee Titans. He departed Tennessee shortly after Benning's death. In his collegiate career, Taylor played as a defensive back and punt returner at Arkansas State, where he served as team captain and earned both a Master of Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in under four years. Homicide cases involving alleged poisoning, particularly those involving an unborn child, often present complex evidentiary challenges for prosecutors due to the nature of establishing intent and causation.

Recognizing and Reporting Homicide

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. If you have information about a crime or wish to report suspicious activity, consider contacting your local law enforcement agency. For those experiencing domestic violence, which can escalate to homicide in some cases, confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). For other serious crimes, you can call 1-800-CALL-FBI to report information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

What Happens Next

The trial of Blaise Taylor is currently underway. The next steps will involve the continuation of witness testimony, presentation of evidence by both the prosecution and defense, closing arguments, and ultimately, jury deliberation and a verdict. Should Taylor be convicted, a sentencing phase would follow.