Who gets the $141K reward for capturing the Georgia prison inmates? It's still unclear

Authorities in Georgia offered $141,000 to anyone who could provide information leading to the capture of two escaped inmates accused of fatally shooting two prison guards.

But on Thursday, nearly a week since their dramatic capture in Rutherford County, the promised money had not yet been distributed. 

Ricky Dubose, 24, and Donnie Rowe, 43, are back in Putnam County, Ga., after the nationwide manhunt. They face charges that include murder, felony escape and hijacking a motor vehicle.

► More:Fugitives, caught in Tennessee, waive extradition; will return to Georgia

Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Nelly Miles said the agency was "still in discussions (on who gets the cash), but closer to a decision."

On the day of the men's arrests, GBI officials announced the agency would reward the "bravery of Tennessee civilians" who helped catch the fugitives.

"The reward will be dispersed at the appropriate time," the GBI said in a statement. "As there were several aspects involved in their apprehension, law enforcement will continue to review them and determine how it will be dispersed."

A timeline of the investigation shows at least two Middle Tennessee residents could argue they deserve the reward.

► More:How the Georgia fugitives were apprehended in Tennessee

The first person with a possible claim is a 71-year-old Shelbyville man.

Bedford County Sheriff Austin Swing said the inmates pushed their way into the man's home, and tied him and his wife up before stealing their Jeep and fleeing. After breaking free, the man dialed 911 and identified the suspects as the escaped inmates.

"We’ve had an armed home invasion," the man told a dispatcher as his wife sobbed behind him. "It’s the two people from Georgia. Escapees."

► More:'You survived, you survived': Listen to 911 call that helped nab Georgia fugitives

The second person with a possible claim is Rutherford County resident Patrick Hale, who told law enforcement that he saw the convicts burst onto his Christiana, Tenn., property about an hour after they were suspected of breaking into the Shelbyville home.

The homeowner dialed 911 after he saw them trying to steal his car and came out with his own weapons. Though his weapon was on him, Hale said he did not have to draw his gun.

"I began to slowly back up as they came closer," Hale said. "At that point, I realized I had two ex-cons wanted for murder who just shot at law enforcement and nothing to lose. And for some reason, they started to surrender and lay down on their stomachs on my concrete driveway."

► Related:'I loaded every weapon I could': Meet the Tennessee man who captured Georgia fugitives

Initially, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said that because the inmates surrendered, the reward would not be paid. Sills' office contributed a large chunk of money to the reward. 

The next day, Sills reversed his decision after finding out about the role Hale played in the inmates' capture. 

Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennesseean.com and on Twitter @nataliealund.