Ex-Titans scout Blase Taylor convicted in murder of pregnant girlfriend and unborn child, to appeal

A Nashville jury convicted former Tennessee Titans scout Blase Taylor of murder in the case involving the death of his pregnant girlfriend, Jade Benning, and her unborn child, and Taylor’s attorney said shortly afterward that he plans to appeal. The guilty verdict was returned on July 1, and according to reporting from USA TODAY, the attorney framed the decision as inconsistent with Taylor’s claim of innocence.

Prosecutors said Taylor poisoned Benning with cocaine during a date night in February 2023, at a point when Benning was five months pregnant. Reporting indicates the prosecution’s theory included that Benning was drugged without her consent and that the poisoning contributed to the deaths of both Benning and the unborn baby.

The jury convicted Taylor of four murder charges in total. Per USA TODAY reporting, the verdict included one count of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree murder, and two counts of felony murder. The jury unanimously recommended life imprisonment for the first-degree murder charge.

After the verdict, jurors also heard impact statements from Benning’s family, including descriptions of the personal and emotional toll of the loss. WSMV’s report described family statements from Benning’s aunt and mother, while noting that Taylor’s mother did not address the trial directly and instead spoke about his character growing up.

Taylor, who is described as 30 years old in USA TODAY’s reporting, will not be sentenced immediately on all counts. USA TODAY reported that a judge will sentence Taylor on the second-degree murder conviction and will decide whether the sentences run concurrently or consecutively. That sentencing stage, and any post-trial motions that follow, are likely to shape the timeline of the appeal.

In a statement carried by USA TODAY, Taylor’s attorney, Letitia Quinones-Hollins, said she and the defense respect the jury system but disagree with the guilty verdict and plan to appeal because Taylor “did not do this,” reiterating that he maintains he is innocent. The court schedule and the grounds raised in the appellate brief will determine what parts of the verdict, if any, can be challenged before a higher court.

While the case is not on-field business, it intersects with the NFL through Taylor’s past work as a scout. For the Tennessee Titans, it also serves as a reminder of how quickly legal matters involving former football personnel can become public and consume organizational attention well beyond the playing season.

As the appeal proceeds, the most immediate developments to watch are the sentencing rulings and the appeal’s focus, including whether the defense challenges issues tied to evidence, jury instructions, or procedure. For Benning’s family and supporters, the conviction also marks the first major milestone after a trial that stretched for about a week and ended with jurors deliberating in under three hours, according to USA TODAY.