BUTTS COUNTY, Ga. — Charges have been dropped against a man who said he fatally shot his wife’s stepfather on his wedding night in self-defense.
In a Channel 2 exclusive, Aaron White says in July 2024 he was a groom who just hours after his wedding took a step he replays every day.
He told Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne shot his new stepfather in law, Jason Maughon, in self-defense in Butts County.
“Sorry somebody had to lose their life, but I had to do what I had to do to protect,” White said.
He was indicted earlier this year for murder and aggravated assault charges.
This order bearing the names of Flint Circuit District Attorney Darius Patillo and Judge Thomas Wilson says, “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.”
They determined it cannot be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that White was the main aggressor.
Defense Attorney Bret Dunn, who said he and John Strauss represent White, says while Patillo is the Henry County D.A. he was appointed to handle the case after the D.A’s office that covers Butts County agreed to be disqualified from the case.
“We waited two years to finally be able to take a breath and realize that this nightmare is over as far as the legal side of it,” said White’s wife, Kailagh.
Butts County Sheriff Gary Long said he disagreed with then-DA Jonathan Adams taking the case to a grand jury a second time, which led to the indictment.
Adams is now a judge-elect. He declined to comment on the decision not to prosecute.
Dan Maughon, Jason’s father, says he and his family have compiled their own file on the case, and they’re not giving up.
“He was completely unarmed,” Dan Maughon said.
He says he and his wife never got a chance to give their side in court, though they did to Patillo.
He said he believes the case is now “on life support, but I don’t think it is completely dead.”
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