Aaron White, 33, was arrested and indicted on felony murder and aggravated assault charges after 44‑year‑old Jason Maughon was shot and killed at a Butts County wedding in July 2024. Investigators say a separate relative fired shots and that Maughon charged at White, who then retrieved a gun and shot him. A first grand jury in April 2025 declined to indict for felony murder; after a ballistics report, a second grand jury returned an indictment. White insists he acted in self‑defense; prosecutors say deadly force was not necessarily justified and have asked the public for more information.
Groom Indicted After Stepfather Is Fatally Shot At Wedding; Self‑Defense Claim Contested
A photo of Aaron WhiteWSB-TV/YouTube
A Georgia man has been arrested and indicted after his bride’s stepfather was fatally shot at the couple’s wedding last summer. Aaron White, 33, faces felony murder and aggravated assault charges in the death of 44‑year‑old Jason Maughon, who was killed at a Butts County wedding in July 2024.
A photo of Jason Daniel MaughonTowaliga District Attorney's Office
What Authorities Say
Butts County investigators and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation reviewed the incident and say the situation began with an earlier dispute: Maughon and another relative of the bride argued before the event and arrived separately. According to law enforcement, that relative began firing a weapon at the wedding, and Maughon then charged at White. Authorities say White retrieved a gun from his truck and shot Maughon.
A photo of a crime sceneGetty Stock Images
Grand Juries And Ballistics
Towaliga District Attorney Jonathan Adams said the GBI presented the evidence to a Butts County grand jury on April 14, 2025; that panel declined to return an indictment, citing insufficient evidence. After a ballistics report was completed, Adams convened a second grand jury, which returned an indictment charging White with felony murder.
Statements From The Parties
Aaron White: "I feared for my life. The last time I seen him, he was threatening to cut me, so it’s a fear for my life."
Towaliga DA Jonathan Adams: While an individual has the right to self‑defense, Adams told reporters that right does not automatically justify deadly force in every circumstance and urged anyone with additional information to contact law enforcement.
Defense: White’s attorney, Bret Dunn, accused the district attorney of making a politically motivated decision. PEOPLE was unable to locate contact information for Dunn for additional comment.
Current Status
White was booked into the Butts County Jail with bail set at $100,000. The case remains under investigation and is expected to proceed through the local court system following the indictment. The Butts County Sheriff’s Office and the Towaliga District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
Note: This article summarizes reporting from local outlets, including WSB‑TV and the Jackson Progress‑Argus, and follows statements from law enforcement and the district attorney. The facts remain subject to further investigation and court proceedings.
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