Arkansas sheriff’s candidate focused on ‘family’ after dismissal of murder charge | Arkansas
An Arkansas sheriff candidate who allegedly killed his teenage daughter’s sexual abuser said he was focusing on “returning to family and a normal life” after a murder charge against him was dismissed.
Aaron Spencer also said, “I’m grateful that this chapter is closed.” a statement following the dismissal on Thursday.
Spencer’s statement added that he was “more committed than ever” to the political race he chose to win, and that he joined in the throes of a legal situation that has drawn attention far beyond his community in Lonoke County.
The 37-year-old U.S. Army veteran was charged with second-degree murder in the Oct. 8, 2024, shooting death of 67-year-old Michael Fosler in Lonoke.
On the day of the murder, Spencer woke up around 1 a.m. to find his then-13-year-old daughter missing from her bedroom and went looking for her in his truck. He eventually found her in the passenger seat of a truck driven by Fosler.
Spencer eventually forced Fosler’s vehicle off the highway. The men had an argument; Spencer then shot Fosler and notified first responders, records show.
Fosler was released on $50,000 bail at the time and was facing more than 40 charges, including sexual assault, sexual indecency with a child, possession of child abuse images and stalking a child online. Spencer’s daughter was the only witness to Fosler’s accusations.
Prosecutors still accused Spencer of deliberately and unlawfully killing Fosler, and suggested the father could have called law enforcement instead of chasing the other man and taking matters into his own hands.
Spencer pleaded not guilty. Although he never denied fatally shooting Fosler, he maintained that his actions were done legally to protect his daughter from a predator.
An Arkansas state circuit court judge on Thursday dismissed the case against Spencer after authorities lost a dashboard camera memory card in Fosler’s truck that may have contained video of the fatal shooting. Judge Ralph Wilson said the loss of that evidence was “so egregious that it warrants dismissal of this case,” also citing the “unique, specific and particular facts and circumstances” of the case.
Meanwhile, Spencer took action to call the sheriff’s office in Lonoke County, saying he was motivated by his experience in the criminal justice system.
He defeated incumbent Republican sheriff John Staley, who oversaw Spencer’s arrest, in a closed party primary in March.
That propelled Spencer to the November election against Democratic sheriff’s candidate Brian Mitchell Sr. in a predominantly Republican county.
The statement attributed to Spencer after the murder charge was dismissed was directed at those who supported him while the case against him was ongoing. “I want to thank the people who stood with us at a time when it was easier to look the other way,” the statement said.
Spencer’s statement also said, “There is still work to be done in Lonoke.”
The statement continued: “Together, we can build a safer and stronger district.”
Marina Dunbar contributed reporting
