An indictment for felony murder has been issued against Casey White, the inmate who escaped from an Alabama jail with corrections officer Vicky White, according to documents from Lauderdale County Circuit Court.
The pair was apprehended in Indiana on May 9 after an 11-day manhunt, and Vicky White, 56, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound later that day, confirmed as a suicide by autopsy, officials revealed.
Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly announced that a grand jury has indicted Casey White, 38, for felony murder in connection to Vicky White’s death.
It is believed that Casey and Vicky, who are not related, developed a romantic relationship while at the Lauderdale County jail and plotted their escape in April, as reported by CNN.
According to a statement from the district attorney’s office, the indictment alleges that “during the course of and in furtherance of committing Escape in the First Degree, White caused the death of Vicky White, who died from a gunshot to the head.”
Casey White was served the arrest warrant at the Donaldson Correctional Facility in Jefferson County, Alabama, confirmed the Lauderdale County District Attorney’s Office.
His attorneys intend to enter a plea of not guilty at his arraignment and to request a copy of Vicky White’s autopsy from the state, they revealed in a statement.
Casey White had been awaiting trial for capital murder when he and Vicky White escaped in her patrol car on April 29, according to authorities.
Authorities stated they believe Vicky White willingly participated in the escape, which occurred on her last day before retirement.
The two were discovered in Evansville, Indiana, after a car chase, and Vicky White succumbed to her injuries from the gunshot wound that day.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Chad Hunt recounted that upon surrender, Casey White mentioned a wife, which raised questions about their relationship.
Casey White faces additional charges, including a capital murder charge for a previous incident and is currently serving a 75-year sentence at Donaldson Correctional Facility for other crimes.
