A 37-year-old Arkansas father and candidate for Lonoke County sheriff, Aaron Spencer, is no longer facing a second-degree murder charge after a judge dismissed the case on Thursday, June 4.
Special Circuit Court Judge Ralph Wilson Jr. dismissed the case after it was revealed that a Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office detective had lost a dash-camera memory card that may have captured the shooting. According to court documents cited by People, the missing footage could have contained potentially exculpatory evidence that could not be recovered through other means.
Key Details of the Case
Spencer had been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 67-year-old Michael Fosler, who was accused of sexually abusing Spencer’s 13-year-old daughter between June and July 2024. Fosler also faced additional sexual assault charges in September of that year. He was out on bond when he was fatally shot on October 8, 2024.
Spencer has maintained that he acted to protect his daughter. Court records cited by People state that he pleaded not guilty and said he discovered his daughter missing on the night of the incident, later finding her in a vehicle driven by Fosler.
Documents allege that Spencer forced Fosler’s vehicle off the road. After Fosler exited the car, Spencer shot him. He then placed his daughter in his vehicle, reloaded his firearm, and called 911, reporting the shooting.
Case Dismissal Over Missing Evidence
Judge Wilson dismissed the charge, calling the remedy “extraordinary and extreme.” It was discovered in April 2026 that a sheriff’s detective had misplaced video evidence that may have captured the incident.
Defense attorneys argued that law enforcement failed to properly preserve evidence, raising concerns of “bad faith” handling. The court agreed that the missing evidence could have been materially significant to the defense.
Political Career Continues
Months before the dismissal, Spencer launched his campaign for Lonoke County sheriff, presenting himself as a father who acted after the justice system failed to protect his child. He has pledged to address shortcomings in law enforcement and the courts.
Despite the ongoing legal case, Spencer gained political momentum and won the Republican primary in March 2026 with approximately 53.5% of the vote. He is now set to face Democratic candidate Brian Mitchell Sr. in the upcoming general election.
