Charges against a Georgia groom accused of killing his bride's stepfather on their wedding night have been dropped due to 'insufficient evidence,' prosecutors confirmed.
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 White shot and killed his new wife Kailagh White's stepfather just hours after their wedding in Butts County.
White has maintained his innocence, insisting he acted in self-defense. On Wednesday, charges were dismissed 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 expressed relief that his legal battle is over but revealed he remains haunted by the events of his wedding night. 'It stays with you. It's not something that really ever leaves you. 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 initially found White acted in self-defense, but then-Towaliga District Attorney Jonathan Adams chose to take the case to a second grand jury in January. Adams stepped down in February and won election as Towaliga Circuit Superior Court Judge in May.
In March, a judge disqualified the Towaliga DA's office from the case, citing forensic misconduct, and the Henry County DA's office took over 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.
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, according to 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 local news they are still hoping for justice. 'We are looking for justice for my son,' his father, Dan Maughon, said. 'He was completely unarmed.'
