Chloe Driver murder trial

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SUMMARY

Chloe Driver was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole on December 12, 2024, after being found guilty but mentally ill for the murder of her daughter. As of December 12, 2024, Jason Spillars, who testified in Driver's trial about their 'cult' lifestyle, faces additional accusations including larceny and is involved in a sealed federal case filed in June 2024, with a court date in Newton, Georgia, scheduled for January 6, 2025. Spillars is reportedly no longer in Catawba County Jail and may be in Georgia or out on bail, while Benyamin Ben-Michaeil remains in McMinn County jail awaiting transfer to Georgia. Matthew Lee Spillers filed a habeas corpus petition on August 22, 2025, in the Middle District of Georgia, which the court is handling despite returned correspondence.

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July 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Matthew Lee Spillers Files Habeas Corpus Petition Amidst Georgia Legal Proceedings

    Matthew Lee Spillers filed a habeas corpus petition in the Middle District of Georgia on August 22, 2025, which the court is handling despite returned correspondence. This legal action occurred while Jason Spillars was facing proceedings in Georgia.

December 2024 — 2 developments

  1. Jason Spillars faces larceny charges, involved in sealed federal case

    Jason Spillars faces additional accusations, including larceny, and is involved in a sealed federal case filed in June 2024. He is reportedly no longer in Catawba County Jail and may be in Georgia or out on bail, with a court date in Newton, Georgia, scheduled for January 6, 2025.

  2. Chloe Driver sentenced to life in prison for daughter's murder

    Chloe Driver is sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after being found guilty but mentally ill for the murder of her daughter.

November 2024 — 14 developments

  1. Jason Spillars Released from Jail, Federal Charges Dismissed

    Jason Spillars is no longer held in Catawba County Jail, his federal charges have been dismissed, and he has a new court date scheduled for January 6, 2025, in Newton. Benyamin Ben-Michaeil remains in McMinn County jail and is expected to be transferred to Georgia. Both are listed as defendants in ongoing cases.

  3. Jason Spillars Discusses Legal Strategies in Jail Call for GA v. Chloe Driver Case

    Jason Spillars, an inmate at Cherokee County Jail, was involved in a jail phone call with Ben Michael "Z" on November 11, 2024. The call, discussed in relation to the GA v. Chloe Driver case, touched upon legal strategies such as signing documents "under duress" and the possibility of the case being televised.

  4. Jason Spillars voiced concerns about testimony impact on GA v. Chloe Driver case during jail call

    Jason Spillars, after testifying in the GA v. Chloe Driver case, was involved in a jail phone call with Ben Michael "Z" on November 13, 2024. In the call, Spillars expressed a desire to return to his federal treatment facility and voiced concerns that his statements could jeopardize the case's outcome. Separately, Spillars testified about a 'psychotic episode' Chloe Driver allegedly experienced, which he described as a turning point in her case.

  5. Jason Spillars requests to be witness, discusses case cancellation in jail call

    A jail phone call transcript from November 11, 2024, involving Jason Spillars in the GA v. Chloe Driver case has been released. In the call, Spillars discusses upcoming meetings, expresses a desire to be called as a witness, and mentions the potential cancellation of the case. He states, 'I want to be called as a witness... Katie Grapper and her crew... they are coming to see me.'

  6. Jason Spillars testifies in Chloe Driver trial, details 'cult' lifestyle

    Jason Spillars testified in the Chloe Driver trial, detailing their 'cult' lifestyle and interactions with 'Z' (Benjamin Michael), the alleged leader of a polygamist group. Spillars, who is incarcerated for assault and communicating threats, also had federal charges dismissed and a new court date scheduled for December 2, 2024. Jail calls between Spillars and Benjamin Michael were also featured, discussing legal strategies.

  7. Jason Allen Spillars indicted in North Carolina federal court; disposition hearing set for November

    A federal case, USA v. Spillars (1:24-cr-00044), was filed in the North Carolina Western District Court on June 18, 2024, involving a sealed indictment against Jason Allen Spillars. Spillars's next hearing is scheduled for November 21, 2024, a disposition hearing. He has a history of making threats and a past conviction for threatening a woman.

  8. Jason Spillars' legal proceedings continue with disposition hearing scheduled

    Jason Spillars' legal proceedings are ongoing, with a disposition hearing scheduled for November 21, 2024. He also testified in the Chloe Driver case, with observers noting his demeanor and statements. Spillars may have charges in other states, and his connection to the Chloe Driver case is being investigated.

  9. Jason Spillars testifies in Georgia v. Chloe Driver case, details psychotic breaks and arrest

    Jason Spillars provided further testimony in the Georgia v. Chloe Driver case, discussing his initial meetings with 'Z' and observing Chloe Driver experience psychotic breaks. Spillars also detailed his arrest in April 2021 following an incident on November 25th, where he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor under Alford Law. His testimony relates to his ongoing legal issues stemming from his arrest in Sonoma County in November 2021.

  10. Benyamin Ben-Michaeil Arrested in Tennessee as Fugitive from Georgia 'Freezer' Theft Charges

    Benyamin Ben-Michaeil, Chloe Driver's husband and a co-defendant with Spillars in Georgia, is arrested in McMinn County, Tennessee, as a fugitive from justice, wanted by Georgia authorities for charges related to the 'freezer' theft.

  12. Jason Spillars Concludes Testimony in Georgia v. Chloe Driver Trial, Suggests Insanity Plea

    Jason Spillars concluded his testimony in the Georgia v. Chloe Driver trial on November 13, 2024, suggesting a "not guilty due to insanity" plea and discussing relocation plans for the group. Spillars, who was incarcerated at the time, described events from the day of the incident and his interactions with Driver and "Z."

  13. Jason Spillars testified about Chloe Driver's psychotic episode and discussed defense strategies with 'Z'.

    Jason Spillars, a friend of Chloe Driver, testified on November 13, 2024, about what he described as a psychotic episode experienced by the defendant, calling it a turning point in the trial for the death of her 13-month-old daughter. During cross-examination on November 15, 2024, Spillars was questioned about other women involved with 'Z' and their children. A jail phone call from Spillars to Ben Michael 'Z' on November 8, 2024, discussed defense strategies.

  14. Jason Spillars testifies in 'Cult Baby Murder Trial,' describes Chloe Driver's psychotic episode

    Jason Spillars testified in the Chloe Driver "Cult Baby Murder Trial," describing a psychotic episode Driver experienced, which he considered a turning point. Spillars also expressed a desire to be called as a witness in the case. Online commenters shared negative opinions of Spillars' testimony and character.

November 2021 — 1 developments

  1. Jason Spillars arrested in Sonoma County on North Carolina extradition warrant

    Jason Spillars is arrested in Sonoma County, California, by Sheriff's deputies on an extradition warrant from North Carolina for charges including assault, threats, and probation violation.

October 2021 — 1 developments

  1. Humboldt County Sheriff seeks Jason Allen Spillars on nationwide extradition warrant

    The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office in California issues a public alert seeking information on Jason Allen Spillars, who is wanted on a nationwide extradition warrant from North Carolina.

December 2020 — 1 developments

  1. Chloe Driver Allegedly Stabs 13-Month-Old Daughter to Death in Cherokee County

    Chloe Driver allegedly stabs her 13-month-old daughter, Hannah, to death in Cherokee County, Georgia. This incident forms the basis of the 'GA v. Chloe Driver' murder trial, which later involves Jason Spillars as a witness.