Judge dismisses murder charge of Arkansas sheriff candidate

A judge has dismissed a second-degree murder charge against Aaron Spencer, an Arkansas man who won the Republican nomination for Lonoke County sheriff while awaiting trial for the 2024 killing of a man accused of sexually assaulting his teenage daughter. Special Circuit Court Judge Ralph Wilson Jr. issued the dismissal order on Thursday, citing what he described as egregious misconduct by law enforcement related to missing evidence.

Spencer admitted to shooting and killing Michael Fosler, 67, in October 2024. At the time, Fosler was out on bond after being charged with dozens of sexual offenses against Spencer’s then-13-year-old daughter. According to court documents, Spencer awoke one night to find his daughter missing. He later located her in the passenger seat of a vehicle Fosler was driving. Spencer forced the truck off the road and, following an altercation, called 911 to report he had shot Fosler, who died at the scene.

Prosecutors had argued Spencer planned the killing and could have contacted police during the pursuit. Spencer pleaded not guilty, maintaining he acted to protect his child from a predator. His trial had been scheduled to begin later this month.