Aaron White and Kailagh White hoped July 14, 2024, would be the best day of their lives. The pair married in Butts County, Georgia, but their perfect wedding day took a horrific turn. A fight allegedly broke out at the wedding that involved Kailagh White’s stepfather, Jason Maughon. Aaron White claimed Maughon lunged at him and he shot his wife’s stepfather in self-defense. Maughon died from his injuries, and now Aaron White faces murder charges. The charges have ruffled many feathers, including Butts County Sheriff Gary Long, who thinks Aaron White is innocent.
WSB-TV reported that the entire dream wedding quickly became a nightmare. Kailagh White said she married her best friend that day, but just a few hours later, violence erupted. Long told the news outlet that both his office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took a hard look at the case, and in his eyes, Aaron White acted appropriately.
According to Long, Maughon and another relative of the bride showed up at the reception in separate cars following the fight. The unidentified relative allegedly began firing shots, and Maughon charged at the groom. Aaron White reportedly went to his truck to get a gun, WSB-TV reported.
“The last time I seen him, he was threatening to cut me, so it’s a fear for my life,” Aaron White told the outlet. “[It] really makes you, as much as you don’t want to have to second guess, having to defend yourself.” He said he feared for his life and did what he had to do to stay alive.
In 2025, a grand jury found that Aaron White acted in self-defense, but District Attorney Jonathan Adams took the case to a second grand jury. This time, jurors indicted Aaron White for felony murder. Aaron White’s defense attorney, Bret Dunn, claims the case is about votes, a claim Adams denies.
“Jonathan Adams is making a politically motivated decision based on him wanting to be a judge,” Dunn said.
Aaron White posted a $100,000 bond and plans to continue his fight. He has the support of not just his family but many in the community.
Kailagh White stands by her husband and his innocence.
“We’re glad more context is finally being shared, including the perspective of Butts County Sheriff Gary Long. The truth will come out, and when it does, it will show that this case should never have been prosecuted and that my husband is an innocent man who acted in self-defense,” she shared on Facebook. “Thank you to everyone who has supported and prayed for us. We are so grateful and ask that you continue as we move forward in this fight.”
This is so heartbreaking. No one should ruin another person’s wedding, particularly not a family member and especially not with violence. Guns don’t solve anything and, in this case, left one man dead and another fighting for the life he loves.
