Prosecutors have decided not to go forward in the capital murder case against Casey White – whose escape from Lauderdale County jail last year led to a nationwide manhunt.

In a motion filed Friday, Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly said that since White is serving a life sentence for a felony murder conviction relating to the escape, there is no need to pursue a capital murder conviction.

• Read full coverage of Casey White escape

Connolly has already said that prosecutors would not seek the death penalty for White. If convicted, White would be sentenced to life in prison without the chance for parole.

The capital murder case involves the 2015 slaying of Connie Ridgeway of Rogersville. The trial was set to begin Aug. 14.

In the one-page motion, Connolly listed multiple reasons for not pursuing the case – though he reserved the right to reinstate the charges against White.

• White, who will turn 40 next month, will not be eligible for parole until 2081 – at which point he would be 98 years old.
• The trial would require “expenditure of significant state resources.”
• Ridgeway’s murder remains under investigation and other people may be found to have been involved.
• Ridgeway’s adult children, Austin and Cameron Williams, supported not going forward with the trial.

Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Benjamin Graves has not yet ruled on the motion.

“Austin and Cameron support the decision to suspend the prosecution at this time,” Connolly said in a news release. “Suspending the prosecution of Casey White will allow investigators additional time to complete their investigation and will preserve state resources. In the meantime, Casey White is right where he belongs in Donaldson prison.”

White escaped from Lauderdale County jail in April 2022. He was being held in the jail in connection with Ridgeway’s murder. His escape was facilitated by jail officer Vicky White (no relation).

The two were on the run for nine days before Casey White was captured in Evansville, Indiana. Vicky White took her own life by shooting herself in the head as law enforcement closed in for the capture.

In June, Casey White pleaded guilty to felony murder in connection with Vicky White’s death and sentenced to life in prison. Prior to the life sentence, White was already serving a 75-year prison term for an array of felony convictions relating to a 2015 crime spree.

Updated today, July 28, 2023, at 5:05 p.m. with comment from Connolly.