Murder Charge Dropped for Army Vet Dad Seeking Sheriff’s Role After Alleged Predator Incident

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Published on 05 June 2026

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The judge pointed out that law enforcement had mishandled key evidence, including dash-camera footage and an SD card from Spencer’s vehicle. He noted that dismissing the case is “an extraordinary and extreme remedy” in criminal proceedings.

“However, based on the totality of the circumstances and the unique, specific, and particular facts and circumstances of this case, the Court finds that conduct by law enforcement was so egregious that dismissal of this case is warranted,” the judge wrote.

Spencer’s defense team argued that law enforcement lost the SD card possibly containing footage of the altercation, and did not provide documentation regarding when the item went missing or details surrounding its disappearance.

The judge ruled that “the loss or destruction of the internal SD memory card of the dash camera has adversely impaired the Defendant’s ability to defend himself pursuant to these defenses, and thus his right to a fair trial,” according to court documents.

Sheriff John Staley said Aaron Spencer has not been formally charged and that the District Attorney’s Office will decide which charges to file in Lonoke. (Google Maps)

Fosler had previously been charged with “numerous sexual offenses” against Spencer’s teenage daughter and was out on bond at the time of the shooting, court records indicated.

In February, Spencer emerged as the winner of the Republican primary for Lonoke County sheriff after defeating the incumbent, in which he vowed to reform the county’s law enforcement agency.

“Through my own fight for justice, I have seen firsthand the failures in law enforcement and in our circuit court,” Spencer said in a previous campaign video. “And I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures.” 

While Spencer admitted to gunning down Fosler, he pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. The case was set to go to trial on June 22.

Details regarding how the dismissal could impact his candidacy for sheriff have not yet been released. 

News Agency reached out to the Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office and Spencer’s defense team for comment.