July 1, 2026
A Davidson County jury found former Titans scout Blaise Taylor guilty in the deaths of Jade Benning and their unborn daughter after deliberating for just over two-and-a-half hours following a seven-day trial.
Watch now: Blaise Taylor found guilty on all counts in murder trial
The verdict was met with emotion inside the courtroom from both Taylor's family and Benning's loved ones.
Prosecutors argued Taylor intentionally laced a pink lemonade with cocaine before giving it to Benning during a date night in February 2023. Benning, who was several months pregnant with a baby girl she planned to name Ivy, was rushed to the hospital after Taylor called 911, saying she was having an allergic reaction. She died days later on her 25th birthday.
The defense argued Benning struggled with substance abuse and presented expert testimony challenging the medical examiner's conclusions.
After hearing testimony from family members, friends and medical experts, jurors returned guilty verdicts on all four counts:
- Count 1: Guilty of second-degree murder
- Count 2: Guilty of first-degree murder
- Count 3: Guilty of first-degree murder
- Count 4: Guilty of first-degree murder
Shortly before 6 p.m., the jury sentenced Taylor to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He will be eligible for parole after serving 51 years. Eligibility does not guarantee he will be released on parole.
The judge will determine whether the sentences on the murder convictions will run consecutively or concurrently during a hearing scheduled for Sept. 9.
June 30, 2026
The defense rested its case after a doctor testified that fentanyl could have contributed to Benning's death. The doctor challenged the medical examiner's conclusion that the cause of death was acute cocaine toxicity, saying Benning's symptoms appeared more consistent with fentanyl exposure.
During cross-examination, prosecutors pointed out that the doctor is not a forensic pathologist or toxicologist.
Taylor confirmed that he understood his right to testify but chose not to take the stand.
Closing arguments begin tomorrow morning before jurors receive instructions and start deliberating.
June 29, 2026
The defense began presenting its case.
The defense challenged the toxicology review in the case. One doctor testified that a full review of the records would take significant time.
Prosecutors pushed back, questioning the doctor's ability to critique another laboratory's procedures, pointing out she isn't trained as an outside lab assessor.
The judge is asking both sides to wrap up their arguments this week.
June 26, 2026
Medical experts testify in Blaise Taylor murder trial
Jurors heard testimony Friday from the medical examiner and a forensic toxicologist as the state continued presenting evidence in the murder trial of former Titans scout Blaise Taylor.
The witnesses testified about Benning's autopsy and toxicology results. Prosecutors allege Benning died after drinking pink lemonade that had cocaine in it, while the defense has argued she had a history of drug use.
June 25, 2026
Jurors hear Benning's message to Taylor about unborn child
Jurors spent much of Thursday reviewing text messages and social media exchanges between Blaise Taylor, Jade Benning and people close to Benning, providing a closer look at their relationship before her death.
Testimony included messages from when Benning learned she was pregnant and decided not to have an abortion. Investigators also read messages in which Benning told Taylor she wanted to take a break from their relationship.
"You said how you felt and stated that moving forward you want no parts so I will let it be just that. I will not involve you at any point. I will love this child unconditionally with or without you," one message from Benning read.
The couple later reconciled before Benning's death.
June 24, 2026
Friend testifies Jade Benning was excited to become a mother
Opening statements Wednesday morning focused heavily on the relationship between Taylor and Benning, as prosecutors and defense attorneys laid out competing narratives about the events leading up to her death.
Later Wednesday, jurors heard emotional testimony from Lauren Weber, a co-worker who said she was close with Benning.
“She just knew what was ahead of her... She was positive, she was going home after work, she was getting her apartment ready, she just wanted to be a mom and she was ready to be a mom,” Weber testified.
The defense has argued Taylor was not ready to become a father, that both he and Benning were seeing other people, and that Benning was drinking during the pregnancy.
Jurors also heard references to questions surrounding potential evidence tampering and Taylor's prior relationships, issues expected to receive additional attention as the trial continues.
The trial is expected to last several more days.
June 23, 2026
Blaise Taylor murder trial begins; jury hears opening statements in death of Jade Benning
Opening statements were delivered on the first day of what is expected to be a multi-day trial.
The prosecution and defense presented sharply different accounts of the relationship between Taylor and Benning, and of the events of Feb. 25, 2023.
Assistant District Attorney Jan Norman told the jury that Benning and Taylor were casually dating when Benning discovered she was pregnant. While Taylor was not ready to be a father, Benning was preparing for motherhood. Norman said Benning tried to build a relationship with Taylor, inviting him and friends to her apartment that February.
Benning's doctor testified she was going to have a girl. That night, Benning invited friends over to cook dinner and paint canvases to hang in the baby's room. Police say Taylor spiked Benning's drink with cocaine while they were together.
When the friends left, Benning and Taylor were alone in the apartment. Prosecutors say Benning frantically called her friends, telling them she believed she had been poisoned before slipping into unconsciousness.
Norman described what prosecutors say were some of Benning's last words to her friends.
"[Benning said], 'What did you do, I can't feel my legs, I can't walk straight, what did you put in my drink, I knew my drink tasted funny, what's in your hand, show me, show me your pocket,'" Norman said.
Taylor called 911 that night, but told paramedics Benning was having an allergic reaction. An EMT who responded to the apartment testified the call came in as an allergic reaction and that they were surprised to find Benning face down and unconscious.
Defense attorney Letitia Quinones-Hollins acknowledged Taylor was not ready to be a father, but argued Benning was using drugs and alcohol during her pregnancy and was dating other men, leaving the question of paternity open.
"She was involved with marijuana, she was involved with Adderall, she was involved with weed cartridges, they call it resin, she was involved with mushrooms," Quinones-Hollins said.
Quinones-Hollins also challenged the prosecution's theory about the cocaine.
"The experts will tell you it was too much cocaine for Jade to take on her own and too much cocaine for Blaise to have slipped in her drink and her not notice," Quinones-Hollins said.
Benning's stepmother also took the stand, describing an intense and chaotic scene when she arrived at the hospital as the first family member there.
The trial is expected to last several days. Upcoming testimony is expected to include medical experts, first responders, Taylor's former romantic partners, and Benning's best friend, Nijaiha Jackson. The trial is also expected to address questions over potential evidence tampering and scrutiny of Taylor's former relationships.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at Amanda.Roberts@NewsChannel5.com
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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