A Georgia groom who claimed he acted in self-defence after shooting and killing his bride's stepfather on their wedding day has now been indicted for murder, sparking a contentious legal and political debate in Butts County.
Fatal Altercation at Wedding Reception
Aaron White fatally wounded his father-in-law-to-be, Jason Maughon, in July 2024, just hours after marrying Kailagh White. The incident occurred in the woods near the wedding reception venue, where Maughon was found dead with seven bullet wounds. White sustained a gunshot wound to his hand during the altercation.
According to reports from WSB-TV, the dispute began when Kailagh confronted a drunk guest after the ceremony and asked them to leave. White attempted to intervene, but Maughon punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground.
Escalation and Shooting
Minutes later, Maughon and the drunk relative returned in separate cars. The unnamed relative fired a gun, hitting White in the hand, while Maughon charged at him. White fled to his truck to retrieve his own weapon and began firing shots.
'I defended myself and everybody else,' White told WSB-TV, adding, 'Last time I saw him, he was threatening to cut me. So it's a fear for my life.'
Legal Proceedings and Controversy
Initially, a grand jury found that White acted in self-defence. However, Butts County District Attorney Jonathan Adams chose to pursue the case further, indicting White for felony murder and aggravated assault on Wednesday.
White called the indictment 'gut-wrenching,' stating, 'It really makes you second-guess having to defend yourself.'
Conflicting Perspectives
District Attorney Adams argued that the case is no longer about self-defence. 'I think the question is not self-defence, the question is lawful use of deadly force,' he said.
In contrast, Butts County Sheriff Gary Long strongly disagreed with Adams' decision, calling White's actions the 'clearest case of self-defence' he had seen. 'There's an innocent man in my jail,' Long said. 'If I sit and say nothing, what good am I doing as sheriff?'
Political Undertones and Family Reactions
White's attorney, Bret Dunn, opposed Adams' decision, labelling it 'politically motivated.' Adams, who is running for Circuit Court Judge in Butts County, fired back, suggesting Dunn's criticism might be influenced by his own political ambitions as a defence attorney running for state senate.
Maughon's family reportedly ridiculed county officials on social media after the initial self-defence ruling. They also criticised the $100,000 bond set for White, calling it 'low for what he did.' White was released on Wednesday after posting bond.
Support from the Bride
Kailagh White stood by her husband's side throughout the ordeal, referring to him as her 'best friend.' The case continues to unfold as legal experts and the community await further developments.
