Blaise Taylor sentenced to consecutive life terms for murder

Blaise Taylor, a former Arkansas State football player and Tennessee Titans scout, has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus 22 years in prison. The sentencing follows his conviction for the murders of his pregnant girlfriend, Jade Benning, and their unborn child.

Prosecutors established that on February 25, 2023, Taylor spiked Benning’s drink with a fatal dose of cocaine. Benning, who was five months pregnant, died of acute cocaine poisoning on March 6. The unborn child died two days after the initial incident. Taylor was convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree premeditated murder, and multiple counts of first-degree felony murder.

During the sentencing, Nashville Assistant District Attorney Jan Norman noted that while Taylor submitted 87 character witness letters, none of the authors mentioned the victims or the crimes committed. Taylor’s attorney has expressed disappointment with the sentence, calling the trial “flawed” and stating plans to appeal.