Charges against a Georgia groom accused of killing his bride’s stepfather on their wedding night have been dropped due to ‘insufficient evidence.’
Aaron White, 33, was indicted in January on murder and aggravated assault charges in connection with the 2024 shooting of Jason Maughon, 44.
Officials said that White shot and killed his new wife Kailagh White’s stepfather just hours after they got married in Butts County.
White has maintained his innocence since the shooting and insisted that he acted in self-defense.
The charges against White were dismissed on Wednesday after prosecutors agreed they lacked sufficient evidence to prove the case.
‘After a thorough review of the evidence, witness statements, investigative materials, and applicable law, the State has determined that it cannot meet its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt at trial due to insufficient evidence,’ prosecutors said in the court filing.
‘Additionally, the State has determined that it cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that [White] was the primary aggressor in the altercation that resulted in the death of the victim, nor can the State disprove beyond a reasonable doubt [White’s] claim of self-defense.’
White said that he is relieved that his legal battle is over but revealed he is still haunted by the events of his wedding night.
Aaron White, 33, claimed he acted in self-defense when he shot and killed his new wife Kailagh’s stepfather on their wedding night
Jason Maughon, 44, was found dead in the woods in Butts County, Georgia, with seven bullet wounds in July 2024
‘It stays with you. It’s not something that really ever leaves you. It’s you don’t forget it,’ he told WSB-TV.
‘I’m sorry somebody had to lose their life, but I had to do what I had to do to protect.’
Investigators said Maughon was shot seven times in the woods near the wedding reception, while White sustained a bullet wound to his hand.
In 2025, a grand jury found White acted in self-defense, but then-Towaliga District Attorney Jonathan Adams chose to take the case to a grand jury for a second time in January.
Adams stepped down from the DA’s office in February, and he won the election for Towaliga Circuit Superior Court Judge in May.
In March, a judge disqualified the Towalgia DA’s office from the case, citing forensic misconduct, and the Henry County DA’s office took over for the prosecution.
Butts County Sheriff Gary Long said the dispute began when Kailagh confronted a drunk guest after the ceremony and asked them to leave.
White tried to intervene, but Maughon allegedly punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground.
White said that he is relieved that his legal battle is over, but is haunted by the events of his wedding night
Butts County Sheriff Gary Long said the dispute began when Kailagh confronted a drunk guest after the ceremony and asked them to leave
Maughon’s family told a local news station they are still hoping to get justice for his death
Minutes later, Maughon and the drunk relative returned in separate cars and the unnamed relative fired a gun, hitting White in the hand while Maughon charged at him, reported WSB-TV.
White fled to his truck to grab his own weapon and began firing shots.
‘I defended myself and everybody else,’ he said.
Maughon was found dead in the woods with several gunshot wounds.
Maughon’s family told the local news station they are still hoping to get justice.
‘We are looking for justice for my son,’ his father, Dan Maughon, said. ‘He was completely unarmed.’
The Daily Mail contacted White’s attorneys and the Henry County DA’s office for comment.
