LONOKE COUNTY, Ark. — The murder charge against a candidate for sheriff in Lonoke County has been dropped.
Special Circuit Court Judge Ralph Wilson granted a motion fro the attorney for Aaron Spencer to dismiss the second-degree murder charge against his client yesterday.
The dismissal was based on the loss of dash camera video that was most likely recording during the Oct. 8, 2024, killing of Michael Fosler.
Wilson ruled that the loss of the dash camera adversely impaired the defendant’s ability to defend himself, negating his right to a fair trial.
Spencer’s trial was set for June 22. He was accused of killing Fosler, a registered sex offender, for actions Fosler had reportedly taken toward Spencer’s teenage daughter.
Spencer won the Republican nomination for Lonoke County sheriff in March and is set to take on Brian Mitchell Sr. and Larry Behnke in the November general election.
