Nashville Jury Convicts Blaise Taylor of Second-Degree Murder in Girlfriend’s Death and First-Degree Murder in Death of Her Unborn Child

A Nashville jury on July 1 convicted Blaise Taylor of second-degree murder in the death of Jade Benning and first-degree murder in the death of her unborn child. The jury also found him guilty on two counts of first-degree felony murder and recommended a life sentence. Formal sentencing is scheduled for September 9.

Prosecutors stated that Taylor poisoned Benning's pink lemonade with cocaine on February 25, 2023. Benning, who was five months pregnant, was taken to a hospital after Taylor called 911 and reported an allergic reaction. The fetus died that day.

Benning died on March 6, 2023, her 25th birthday. She was unable to speak with police before her death. Taylor is believed to have fathered the fetus. Taylor, age 30, was arrested in 2024 while working as a defensive analyst at the University of Utah.

He had previously spent four years in the Tennessee Titans scouting department. Taylor played four years at Arkansas State from 2014 to 2017, serving as team captain and earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors as a defensive back and punt returner.