A murder charge against Aaron Spencer, an Arkansas man who shot and killed a man he believed was sexually abusing his 13-year-old daughter, has been dismissed. Special Circuit Judge Ralph Wilson cited the loss of a dash-cam memory card by law enforcement as a key factor, calling the conduct 'so egregious that dismissal of this case is warranted'.
Spencer, a US Army combat veteran, had been charged with second-degree murder for the October 2024 death of Michael Fosler, 67. Prosecutors alleged that Spencer shot Fosler after finding him driving away with his daughter. Spencer had pursued Fosler's vehicle and forced it off the highway before the shooting.
Court documents show that Spencer woke at 1am to find his daughter missing and went searching for her. He found her in Fosler's passenger seat and, after an altercation, called 911 to report the shooting. Spencer entered a not guilty plea, arguing he was protecting his daughter from a predator.
At the time of the shooting, Fosler was out on $50,000 bond facing 43 charges, including sexual assault, sexual indecency with a child, and possession of child abuse imagery. Spencer's daughter was the sole witness to the alleged offences.
Following the incident, Spencer ran for sheriff of Lonoke County, challenging incumbent John Staley, who oversaw his arrest. Spencer defeated Staley in the Republican primary in March and will face Democratic candidate Brian Mitchell Sr in November. Spencer said his message of accountability resonated with voters, stating: 'The people of Lonoke county stood up and chose transparency and accountability.'
