This is the Day 1 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 her 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 1 Trial Summary
Day 1 of the trial (June 23, 2026) focused on the prosecution’s initial presentation of evidence regarding the medical emergency involving the victim, Jade Benning, on February 25, 2023, and her subsequent hospitalization. The state established foundational evidence regarding the victim’s healthy pregnancy timeline and positive disposition through testimonies from her stepmother and her treating OBGYN. First responders from the Nashville Fire Department and emergency medical services testified to the scene’s timeline, detailing significant behavioral friction, pacing, and physical or verbal obstruction by the defendant, Blaise Taylor, who repeatedly propagated a false narrative that the victim was suffering from an allergic reaction or “bad food”. Additionally, a social acquaintance testified to an anxious verbal interaction with the defendant at the hospital prior to the victim’s life support being removed. The day concluded with responding police officers authenticating and playing body-worn camera recordings of initial interviews for the jury before the court adjourned.
Witness-by-Witness Summaries
Andrea Browning – Victim’s Stepmom
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
The stepmother of the victim, Jade Benning.
Summary Of Testimony
Browning established crucial character context and relational dynamics, verifying the victim’s commitment to the pregnancy timeline while detailing the detached demeanor of the defendant at the hospital and the family constraints that restricted his access to the victim.
Key evidence introduced!
- Nothing Of Note.
Dr. Alison Mullaly – OBGYN
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
A medical expert who served as the victim’s treating OBGYN starting on November 16, 2022.
Summary Of Testimony
Dr. Mullaly provided specialized medical knowledge confirming the absolute health, viability, and normalcy of the victim’s pregnancy, while legally establishing that the defendant had no documented involvement or presence within the victim’s formal prenatal care history.
Key evidence introduced!
- Nothing Of Note.
Full report below!
Sources:
LIVE: Pregnant Girlfriend Poisoned Trial — TN v. Blaise Taylor — Day 1, Law & Crime Trials Youtube Channel, Available Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmz4qHFbp04
