A Tennessee jury has found former NFL scout Blaise Taylor guilty in the deaths of his pregnant girlfriend and their unborn child, concluding an emotional trial that centered on allegations he secretly poisoned her after she refused to end the pregnancy.
The verdict came after eight days of testimony and fewer than three hours of jury deliberations. Taylor was convicted on multiple homicide charges and now faces a life sentence.
Jury Convicts Taylor on All Major Charges
On July 1, jurors in Nashville found the former Tennessee Titans scout guilty of four counts related to the deaths of Jade Benning, 25, and her unborn daughter.
The convictions include second-degree murder, first-degree premeditated murder, and two counts of first-degree felony murder connected to both Benning and her unborn child. Following the verdict, jurors recommended that Taylor receive a life sentence on the first-degree murder convictions.
Prosecutors Said Victim Was Secretly Poisoned
According to prosecutors, Taylor gave Benning a pink lemonade that had been laced with cocaine mixed with alcohol while the two were together in February 2023.
Investigators alleged the poisoning occurred because Taylor did not want Benning to continue the pregnancy. Evidence presented during trial included text messages showing Benning intended to keep the baby despite Taylor’s alleged objections.
Emergency responders were called after Taylor reported that Benning appeared to be suffering from an allergic reaction.
She was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical condition.
Their unborn daughter died two days later, and Benning remained on life support until March 6, 2023—her 25th birthday—when she died.
Defense Argued Death Was Self-Inflicted
Taylor pleaded not guilty throughout the case.
His attorneys argued that Benning’s death resulted from her own drug use rather than deliberate poisoning. They challenged the prosecution’s forensic evidence and questioned whether investigators could prove exactly how the cocaine entered her system.
Prosecutors countered with testimony from medical experts and investigators, arguing the evidence demonstrated the cocaine had been secretly administered without Benning’s knowledge. After hearing both sides, jurors rejected the defense’s theory and returned guilty verdicts on all major charges.
Promising Football Career Ends in Conviction
Before his arrest, Taylor had built a career in football.
He played defensive back at Arkansas State before joining the Tennessee Titans as a scout from 2019 to 2023. He later accepted a position as a defensive analyst at Utah State and had reportedly been expected to join the coaching staff at Texas A&M before his arrest in 2024.
Family Says Verdict Brings Accountability
Throughout the trial, members of Benning’s family attended court and spoke about the devastating impact of losing both Jade and her unborn daughter.
During victim impact testimony, relatives described the lasting emotional toll on Benning’s mother and said the family had been forever changed by the tragedy.
While acknowledging that no verdict could undo their loss, prosecutors said they hope the conviction provides a measure of justice for both victims.
Sentencing Still Ahead
Although jurors recommended a life sentence on the first-degree murder convictions, Taylor is expected to return to court later this year for formal sentencing on the remaining counts.
The case concludes one of Tennessee’s most closely watched criminal trials, ending with jurors finding that the former NFL scout was responsible for the deaths of both Jade Benning and the unborn child she had planned to bring into the world.
