An inmate in Alabama has been sentenced to life after he escaped from prison with the help of his alleged lover, a prison official.
Casey White had help from corrections officer Vicky White – thankfully no relation – to escape from a state prison, where he had been serving a 75 year sentence for a variety of crimes including attempted murder.
Vicky White eventually died by suicide whilst the pair were on their 11-day escape, before they were ultimately caught and arrested in Evansville, Indiana.
39-year-old Casey told the Lauderdale County courtroom that he didn’t want to drag the 56-year-old corrections worker’s name ‘through the dirt’ as he said she was the first person who had cared about him in years.
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He was also apologetic for the escape, and said that Vicky regretted leaving behind her family for it.
White told the courtroom: “We just wanted a new life together because she knew the truth.
I can handle the truth because I know who I am.
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“I chose this road.
“It’s cost me my life and freedom.”
He added: "I feel like the most hated man in the world.
“I loved Vicky and I wouldn’t drag her name through the mud for anyone in this courtroom," "Vicky took me out because she said, ‘Right was right. Wrong is wrong.’
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“First person to show me affection.
“First person to give me a hug in six years."
White had been in prison serving his lengthy sentence, whilst also awaiting a capital murder trial, at the time of his escape in April 2022.
Casey was captured 11 days later, but it was too late for Vicky, who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot before then.
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He pleaded guilty to escape as part of a deal to get prosecutors to drop a capital murder charge relating to Vicky’s death.
He also agreed to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole, as well as agreeing to notify the state if anyone ever approaches him to write a story, or make a movie, about the escape.
The state wants any financial opportunities that might arise from this to be declared, so that any potential proceeds can be used to pay for his defence.
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In the aftermath of White’s escape, his capital murder trial, which relates to the killing of a woman called Connie Ridgeway in Rogersville, Alabama, was delayed.
He was also seeking a new team of attorneys.
Now, he faces a court date on August 14.
Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly said: "On behalf of the state and the family of Vicky White, I just want to express what a tremendous impact that crime has had on this family,
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"Vicky’s mother wanted to speak — but is too emotional."
Tom Wood