Chloe Driver murder trial

Reference TimelineLast updated APR 28
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, a key witness who testified about a 'cult' lifestyle and Chloe Driver's 'psychotic episode,' faces additional accusations including larceny and is involved in a sealed federal case filed in June 2024. Spillars 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. Benyamin Ben-Michaeil, also connected to the case, remains in McMinn County jail and is expected to be transferred to Georgia. Spillars previously had federal charges dismissed and testified about interactions with 'Z' (Benjamin Michael), the alleged leader of a polygamist group.

Timeline

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Timeline of developments

December 2024 2 developments

  1. Jason Spillars faces additional accusations, including larceny, and is involved in a sealed federal case filed in June 2024.

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

    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 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.

    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.

  2. As of November 30, 2024, Jason Spillars was no longer held in Catawba County Jail and his federal ch…

    As of November 30, 2024, Jason Spillars was no longer held in Catawba County Jail and his federal charges were reportedly dismissed, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled December 2 court appearance.

  3. Jason Spillars, an inmate at Cherokee County Jail, was involved in a jail phone call with Ben Michael "Z" on November 11, 2024.

    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, after testifying in the GA v.

    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. A jail phone call transcript from November 11, 2024, involving Jason Spillars in the GA v.

    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 testified in the Chloe Driver trial, detailing their 'cult' lifestyle and interactions with 'Z' (Benjamin Michael), the alleged leader of a polygamist group.

    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. A federal case, USA v.

    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 are ongoing, with a disposition hearing scheduled for November 21, 2024.

    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 provided further testimony in the Georgia v.

    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, Chloe Driver's husband and a co-defendant with Spillars in Georgia, is arrest…

    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.

  11. Jason Allen Spillars provided testimony in the Georgia v.

    Jason Allen Spillars provided testimony in the Georgia v. Chloe Driver case, a new procedural development in the ongoing legal proceedings.

  12. Jason Spillars concluded his testimony in the Georgia v.

    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, a friend of Chloe Driver, testified on November 13, 2024, about what he described as…

    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 testified in the Chloe Driver "Cult Baby Murder Trial," describing a psychotic episode Driver experienced, which he considered a turning point.

    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 is arrested in Sonoma County, California, by Sheriff's deputies on an extradition war…

    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. The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office in California issues a public alert seeking information on Jaso…

    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 her 13-month-old daughter, Hannah, to death in Cherokee County, Georgia.

    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.