Blaise Taylor, a former scout for the Tennessee Titans, has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the cocaine poisoning of his pregnant girlfriend, Jade Benning, and their unborn daughter. The Davidson County judge handed down the sentence on March 7, 2025, ensuring Taylor will not be eligible for parole.
Taylor was found guilty by a jury on charges including second-degree murder for Benning's death, first-degree murder for the unborn child, and two counts of felony murder. The conviction followed a 10-day trial where prosecutors presented evidence detailing Taylor's actions on February 25, 2023. According to trial testimony, Taylor placed a fatal dose of cocaine into Benning's pink lemonade at her Nashville apartment. He then contacted 911 and falsely claimed she was experiencing an allergic reaction.
Toxicology reports later confirmed the presence of cocaine in Benning's system, contradicting Taylor's account and initiating a homicide investigation. Benning remained on life support until March 6, 2023, her 25th birthday, before she died. The unborn baby girl died two days prior, on February 27, 2023.
Prosecutors argued that Taylor's alibi was unsubstantiated and presented a clear timeline of the crime during the trial. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before reaching its verdict. Taylor's legal team has indicated plans to appeal the conviction and sentence.
Taylor was employed by the Tennessee Titans in their scouting department from 2019 to 2023. The team has not commented on the case beyond acknowledging his former employment.