Blaise Allen Taylor is on trial in Davidson County, Tennessee, in a double-murder case centered on the deaths of his girlfriend, Jade Benning, and her unborn child. Prosecutors allege Taylor poisoned Benning during a visit to her Nashville apartment in February 2023. Taylor has pleaded not guilty.

The Case

The case began with a medical emergency on the night of February 25, 2023. According to investigators, Taylor called 911 at 9:38 p.m. and reported that Benning appeared to be having an allergic reaction. Benning was taken by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where her condition was immediately critical. She was not able to be interviewed by police before her death. Her unborn fetus died on February 27, 2023, and Benning died on March 6, 2023, her 25th birthday.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department later said a months-long investigation involving homicide detectives, crime laboratory scientists, and doctors from the Medical Examiner’s Office led to a murder indictment against Taylor. Investigators allege Taylor poisoned Benning without her knowledge while visiting her Lebanon Pike apartment on February 25, 2023.

The People Involved

Blaise Taylor is a former Tennessee Titans scout. Public court records identify him as Blaise Allen Taylor, born March 22, 1996, with case number 2024-A-490 pending in Davidson County Criminal Court.

Jade Benning was 25 years old when she died. She was pregnant at the time of the alleged poisoning, and investigators have said Taylor was alleged to have fathered the fetus.

At an April 2024 hearing, Benning’s best friend, Nijaiha Jackson, testified about Benning’s pregnancy, the relationship, and a phone call she said she received from Benning on the night Benning became critically ill. Jackson testified that Benning sounded impaired and accused Taylor of putting something in her drink. A medical examiner also testified at that hearing that Benning had so much cocaine in her system that she could not have died from recreational drug use.

Charges and Court Posture

Taylor faces two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of felony murder in the deaths of Benning and her unborn child. Court records list the case as open, with jury trial proceedings in Davidson County Criminal Court before Judge Steve Dozier in Courtroom 6A as of June 23, 2026.

The State is seeking life in prison without parole if Taylor is convicted. Prosecutors filed notice citing aggravating factors, including that one alleged victim was under 12, that Benning was pregnant, and that the defendant allegedly knew she was pregnant.

Taylor has pleaded not guilty. He remains free on a $2.5 million bond and is required to wear a GPS monitor, according to public reporting on the trial’s start.

Alleged Conduct

The prosecution theory is that Taylor secretly poisoned Benning during a visit to her apartment, then called 911 and described the emergency as an apparent allergic reaction. Investigators say Benning’s medical condition became critical almost immediately, the fetus died two days later, and Benning died several days after that.

The case appears to turn heavily on medical and forensic evidence, including what caused Benning’s collapse, whether the poisoning was intentional, and whether the State can prove Taylor was responsible. At the April 2024 hearing, the State presented testimony that Benning’s cocaine level was inconsistent with recreational drug use.

Procedural History

Taylor was arrested in Utah on March 14, 2024, by Deputy U.S. Marshals at the request of Nashville police after a Davidson County grand jury indictment. He was later returned to Nashville.

In April 2024, prosecutors announced they were pursuing life without parole. Later that month, Taylor was released from jail after posting bond set at $2.5 million.

The case proceeded toward trial in Davidson County Criminal Court. Jury selection began on June 22, 2026, and court records showed jury trial proceedings continuing on June 23, 2026.

Setup Heading Into Trial

Heading into trial, jurors are expected to hear a case built around the timeline of February 25, 2023, the 911 call, Benning’s hospitalization, toxicology and medical examiner findings, and testimony from people close to Benning. The prosecution is expected to argue that the alleged poisoning was intentional and that Taylor caused both deaths.

The defense theory has not been fully laid out in the public material reviewed here beyond Taylor’s not guilty plea. The defense is expected to challenge whether the State can prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, but any more specific defense theory should be tied to opening statements, motions, or courtroom testimony once available.