Former Arkansas State Player Set for Trial in Deaths of Girlfriend, Unborn Child
A former Arkansas State football player is scheduled to stand trial Monday on charges that he poisoned his girlfriend and her unborn child in a case that has drawn national attention since the deaths occurred in 2023.
Blaise Taylor, 27, faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 25-year-old Jade Benning and her unborn child, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Authorities said Benning, a native of Little Rock who was five months pregnant at the time, was rushed to a Nashville hospital on Feb. 25, 2023, after Taylor called 911 and reported she appeared to be suffering from an allergic reaction.
Investigators said the unborn child died two days later. Benning died on March 6, 2023, which was her 25th birthday.
According to police, investigators later determined that Benning had been poisoned without her knowledge while Taylor was visiting her apartment in Nashville. Authorities have alleged the unborn child was Taylor’s.
A Davidson County grand jury subsequently indicted Taylor on two counts of first-degree murder.
Police said Taylor relocated to Utah following the deaths. He was arrested there in March 2024 and returned to Nashville to face the charges. According to investigators, evidence developed during the investigation led detectives to conclude Benning’s death and the death of her unborn child were the result of intentional poisoning.
Taylor played football at Arkansas State before beginning a coaching career that included stops at Texas A&M and Utah State. He later worked as a scout for the Tennessee Titans.
The trial was originally scheduled to begin earlier this year but was postponed in January because of severe winter weather.
Taylor has pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.
Jury selection and opening statements are expected to begin Monday in Davidson County Criminal Court.