This is the Day 2 of 8 trial report of the murder trial of Blaise Taylor, accused of poisoning his pregnant love interest killing her and her unborn child which he pled not guilty. A jury of his peers convicted him of all counts!
Case Report
Factual background:
Taylor visited Benning at her Nashville apartment. Late that night, he placed a 911 call reporting that Benning was unresponsive and appeared to be suffering from a severe “allergic reaction.” First responders found Benning face-down and critical, showing signs of severe lack of oxygen and pink, frothy vomit, but no hives or swelling consistent with allergies. On February 27, 2023, While Benning was hospitalized and intubated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, her unborn fetus died. After lingering in a vegetative state for days, Benning died on March 6 2023, her 25th birthday. Following a year-long investigation into cell phone data and toxicology reports, Taylor was arrested in Utah and extradited back to Tennessee to face double murder charges.
Criminal complaint:
CHARGES:
1. 1st Degree Premeditated Murder for the unborn child Ivy – Guilty – decided on 1st July 2026
2. 2nd degree murder as a lesser included offense for Jade Benning – Guilty – decided on 1st July 2026
3. Felony murder – two counts – Guilty – decided on 1st July 2026
Victim(s): Jade Benning, Ivy Benning
Courthouse: Davidson County Birch Building, Nashville Tennessee.
Officers of the court
Judge:
Attorneys
Prosecution:
ADA Roger Moore
ADA Jan Norman
ADA Kendall Ponchilia
Defence:
Joshua Brand
Letitia Quinones-Hollins
Edward Jointer
Legend:
ADA = Assistant District Attorney
TN v. Blaise Taylor – Day 2 Trial Summary
On Day 2 of proceedings (June 24, 2026), the prosecution presented evidence focusing on the medical emergency, 911 call, physical home environment, and personal relationships surrounding victim Jade Benning. Law enforcement and emergency communications personnel introduced audio recordings of the defendant’s 911 call and an un-Mirandized hospital interview. Medical testimony established that Benning arrived at the hospital in full cardiac arrest due to suspected poisoning by a family member, exhibiting a low fetal heart rate, negative preliminary urine drug screens, and severe neurological devastation before ultimately being declared brain dead. Friends and family testified to Benning’s excitement over her pregnancy with a baby girl (Ivy-Blair) and her decision to stop drinking and smoking marijuana, while video footage of her residence revealed vomit on the bedspread. Crucially, Benning’s close friend Nijaiha Jackson detailed a frantic phone call from Benning shortly before her collapse, during which Benning accused the defendant of slipping something into her drink to harm the baby, while defense cross-examination probed Benning’s past recreational drug texts and general discussions regarding pregnancy options.
Witness-by-Witness Summaries
Nijaiha Jackson – Friend of Victim
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
Childhood friend and high school cheerleader peer who attended dinner with Benning and the defendant on February 25, 2023.
Summary Of Testimony
Jackson testified that Benning verified her pregnancy with a clinic visit, intended to name her baby girl Ivy-Blair, and firmly decided to keep the baby despite the defendant wanting an abortion. She detailed a phone call from Benning during the incident where Benning accused the defendant of drugging her drink because she could not walk straight, noted the defendant’s strange responses, and stated Benning was declared brain dead on March 6. Cross-examination probed past drug/alcohol texts and abortion options, but Jackson reaffirmed Benning’s commitment to keeping her child and noted the defendant was not collaboratively involved.
Key evidence introduced!
- Nothing Of Note.
Full report below!
Sources:
LIVE: Pregnant Girlfriend Poisoned Trial — TN v. Blaise Taylor — Day 2, Law & Crime Trials Youtube Channel, Available Online: https://www.youtube.com/live/qUvS0KJHlGA?si=9w0idNw9XkXCcUrt
