On June 4, 2026, a judge dismissed a murder charge against Aaron Spencer, an Arkansas man and Republican nominee for sheriff. Spencer faced trial for the shooting death of Michael Fosler, the alleged abuser of his teenage daughter. The dismissal was due to the loss of a dash camera memory card that might have recorded the shooting.
Special Circuit Court Judge Ralph Wilson Jr. decided to dismiss the case just weeks before the trial was to begin. He cited the loss of evidence by law enforcement as a significant factor. This decision followed Spencer’s victory in the GOP nomination against a three-term incumbent sheriff in Lonoke County, a county with approximately 76,000 residents.
According to court documents, Spencer shot Fosler, 67, in 2024. Fosler had been released on bond after facing numerous sexual offense charges against Spencer’s 13-year-old daughter. On the night of Fosler’s death, Spencer discovered his daughter missing and found her in Fosler’s vehicle. After forcing Fosler’s truck off the road, an altercation ensued, and Spencer reported the shooting to 911.
Prosecutors alleged that Spencer planned the killing and could have contacted the police while pursuing Fosler. However, Spencer pled not guilty, asserting he acted to protect his daughter from harm. In a statement, Spencer expressed gratitude for community support, which he felt helped him and his family.
Erin Cassinelli, Spencer’s attorney, supported the court’s judgment, noting that no family member should undergo the trauma of court proceedings again. She argued that Spencer should not have faced charges for defending his child.
The Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney, Chuck Graham, did not return requests for comments on the decision. Spencer has used his daughter’s case as a key component of his campaign for sheriff, promising to dedicate efforts towards prosecuting sex crimes against children.
Spencer’s attorneys filed to dismiss the case, asserting the dash camera footage might have exonerated him. The camera, collected from Fosler’s truck, was mishandled. The detective failed to log the camera into evidence, and its memory card was missing when examined by the attorney general’s office.
Judge Wilson stepped in after the Arkansas Supreme Court replaced Judge Barbara Elmore. Elmore had been removed for issuing a gag order that violated Spencer’s First Amendment rights.
In: Shooting, Homicide, Sexual Assault, Arkansas