A Republican candidate for sheriff in Arkansas who was accused of killing his teenage daughter's sexual abuser said he is focused on "family and getting back to a normal life" after a murder charge against him was dismissed.
Statement After Dismissal
Aaron Spencer, 37, a U.S. Army combat veteran, issued a statement Thursday after a judge dismissed the second-degree murder charge. "I'm grateful this chapter is closed," he said, adding that he is "more committed ... than ever" to his campaign for sheriff in Lonoke County, which he is favored to win.
The Incident
Spencer was charged in the October 8, 2024, shooting death of Michael Fosler, 67. On that day, Spencer woke around 1 a.m. to find his 13-year-old daughter missing. He searched in his truck and found her in the passenger seat of Fosler's vehicle. Spencer forced Fosler off the highway, an altercation ensued, and Spencer shot Fosler before calling first responders.
Fosler had been released on a $50,000 bond while facing over 40 criminal charges, including sexual assault, sexual indecency with a child, possession of child abuse imagery, and internet stalking. Spencer's daughter was the sole witness in Fosler's case.
Prosecution and Dismissal
Prosecutors argued Spencer intentionally killed Fosler and could have called law enforcement instead of taking matters into his own hands. Spencer pleaded not guilty, never denying the shooting but claiming he acted to protect his daughter.
On Thursday, Circuit Judge Ralph Wilson dismissed the case after authorities lost a dashboard camera memory card from Fosler's truck that may have contained video of the shooting. The judge called the loss "so egregious that dismissal of this case is warranted," citing the case's unique circumstances.
Political Campaign
Spencer, motivated by his experience with the justice system, ran for sheriff. In March, he defeated incumbent Republican Sheriff John Staley, who oversaw his arrest. He now faces Democratic candidate Brian Mitchell Sr. in the November election in a heavily Republican county.
In his statement, Spencer thanked supporters and said, "There's still work to do in Lonoke ... Together, we can build a safer and stronger county."
