Overview
- Prosecutors say Blaise Taylor gave Jade Benning a drink that contained a fatal dose of cocaine on Feb. 25, 2023 and that she and their unborn daughter later died from the exposure.
- The trial in Nashville has played 911 dispatch audio of Taylor calling for help as Benning collapsed and shown crime‑scene photos of drink containers and two water glasses taken from her apartment.
- Dr. Erin Carney, the forensic pathologist, testified that Benning’s blood had an unusually high cocaine level that she said could only be reached by ingestion and that acute cocaine toxicity caused Benning’s death.
- Prosecutors introduced text messages they say show Taylor pressured Benning to abort, which they present as motive, while the defense says Taylor sought help that night and points to Benning’s alleged substance use.
- Taylor faces four murder counts and, if convicted, life without parole; the trial is ongoing with more witnesses and expert testimony expected to further contest the cause, timing and meaning of the evidence.