Jury Convicts Former NFL Scout Blaise Taylor of Murdering Pregnant Girlfriend

Key points

• Jade Benning, a 24-year-old chef, collapsed on Feb. 25, 2023, after a date with Blaise Taylor at her Nashville apartment. She was found unresponsive and later died from acute cocaine toxicity.
• Benning’s autopsy revealed cocaine levels more than seven times higher than typical fatal overdoses. Her unborn child, Ivy, also died. The medical examiner listed the manner of death as 'undetermined' rather than homicide.
• The prosecution relied heavily on testimony from Benning’s best friend, Nijaiha Jackson, who claimed Benning accused Taylor of putting something in her drink during a final phone call. Jackson also testified that Taylor had previously suggested Benning terminate the pregnancy.
• Taylor was arrested in Utah in March 2024, one year after the incident. He was released on a $2.5 million bond before his trial in June 2026.
• The defense argued that Benning’s history with marijuana and a text message to a drug dealer that day suggested accidental overdose or self-administration, noting no drugs were found in Taylor’s possession or the drinks at the scene.

Background

This case gained local attention in Arkansas due to Taylor’s status as a former four-year starter and team captain at Arkansas State University, where he earned All-Sun Belt honors. The story was featured in a '48 Hours' special on CBS News, highlighting the contrast between his public image as a community-focused athlete and the violent allegations. The trial followed a period of intense scrutiny from Benning’s family, who felt police moved too slowly to secure the crime scene, allowing friends to investigate the apartment before law enforcement arrived.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News and Jonesboro Right Now present the factual timeline of the trial and conviction, emphasizing the jury’s decision and the life sentences. Jonesboro Right Now focuses on Taylor’s local legacy in Arkansas, noting his athletic achievements and the community’s reaction to the verdict. The primary source highlights the conflict between the prosecution’s reliance on the unrecorded phone call and the defense’s argument that the 'undetermined' manner of death and lack of physical evidence proved innocence. While the family of the victim viewed the verdict as justice, Taylor’s family and defense attorneys maintained his innocence, arguing he was an innocent man convicted based on circumstantial evidence and a friend’s recollection.

Why it matters

The case illustrates the challenges in prosecuting poisoning cases where the manner of death is legally 'undetermined' and physical evidence is scarce. It highlights the role of witness testimony in criminal trials when forensic links are absent. Additionally, it raises questions about the speed of police response in domestic violence and poisoning cases, as the victim’s family and friends had to investigate the scene before law enforcement secured it. The conviction also impacts the reputations of both the victim’s family and the defendant’s community, particularly in the sports world where Taylor was a known figure.

What to watch

Taylor’s defense team is working on an appeal, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to prove intent and that the testimony of Apple Dennie, a former girlfriend who claimed Taylor had previously tried to force an abortion on another woman, was prejudicial. The family of Jade Benning plans to continue honoring her memory, including a class reunion where they released balloons in her honor. No further legal proceedings are scheduled immediately, but the appeal process will determine if the conviction stands.