Casey White pleads guilty to prison escape, prosecutors drop murder charge in Vicky White’s death
Infamous Alabama inmate Casey White pleaded guilty on Thursday to breaking out of jail last year with the help of his lover and now-dead jail boss Vicky White, who shot herself dead as authorities closed in on the pair.
The convicted felon apologized to Vicky White’s family as he admitted in court to the daring escape that led to a wild 11-day manhunt last spring, the Lauderdale County District Attorney’s Office told The Post.
As part of the guilty plea to first-degree escape, Casey White, 39, agreed to the maximum penalty of life in prison, Chief Assistant District Attorney Angie Hamilton said.
In return, prosecutors dropped the murder charge he was facing in Vicky White’s death, she said.
The unplanned plea deal was hastily arranged when Casey White appeared at the courthouse Thursday for a status hearing. After the defense went to prosecutors with a potential resolution, Hamilton said the district attorney’s office got Vicky White’s family blessing.
“The White family is relieved that this is almost over and behind them so they’re very satisfied with it,” Hamilton said.
The murder trial would have been held next month. Instead, he will be sentenced on June 8.
Casey White and Vicky White, 56, who were not related, captivated the nation when the correction officer helped her paramour escape from Lauderdale County Jail.
The odd couple, who were in a two-year relationship, were finally caught after US Marshals tracked them down in Indiana.
Vicky White shot and killed herself when authorities cornered them. Casey White was originally charged with her murder because Vicky White died during the course of a felony, prosecutors said.
Mark McDaniel, a defense lawyer for Casey White, told The Post Thursday his client apologized to Vicky White’s family in court.
Hamilton also confirmed that apology.
“He apologized to Vicky’s mother, he apologized to me, as well as (District Attorney) Chris Connolly,” Hamilton said.
“I imagine he’ll have more to say at his sentencing hearing.”
Before the plea was made, the status hearing discussed Casey White’s mental evaluation, the jury pool and motion for change of venue, WHNT reported.
Casey White was already spending 75 years behind bars on a slew of charges before Vicky White helped sneak him out of the clank.
She told fellow guards she was taking him for a mental health evaluation.
Their romantic getaway ended on May 8 during a car chase where Vicky White can be heard screaming before shooting herself in the head. Casey White surrendered at the scene.
Prosecutors argued Casey White should be held responsible for his lover’s death because she died while he was committing a felony.
At the time of his escape, Casey White was facing capital murder charges for the 2015 slaying of 58-year-old Connie Ridgeway.
McDaniel said the case is set for trial in August.
Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty in the case.
