An Arkansas father charged with killing the man accused of sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter says he’s running for sheriff in his rural county while awaiting his trial for murder.
Combat veteran, farmer and Republican hopeful Aaron Spencer believes both Lonoke County voters and a jury will see things his way.
Spencer shot 67-year-old Michael Fosler in October 2024 when he went looking for his daughter after she went missing from her bedroom. According to court documents, he later spotted his daughter in the passenger seat of Fosler’s truck, forced the vehicle off the road, shot Fosler during an altercation and then called 911 to report the shooting.
Fosler had been arrested and charged earlier that year with numerous offenses against Spencer’s daughter, including stalking and sexual assault, and was out on bond when he was killed.
Spencer, 37, does not deny that he shot and killed Fosler, but argues he was acting legally to protect his daughter from a predator. He was arrested by the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office following the shooting, and says he’ll be running to replace Sheriff John Staley after witnessing “firsthand the failures in law enforcement.”
Spencer is campaigning on the suggestion that the county hasn’t been tough enough on crime under Staley’s watch.
“I’m the father who acted to protect his daughter when the system failed,” he said in a campaign video posted on Facebook. “I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures.”
Spencer is not yet on the ballot since candidates can’t officially file until next month, though he intends to face off against Staley in the Republican primary come March — about six weeks after his trial for second-degree is set to begin.
Lonoke County Republican Committee Chair Jennifer Hopper doesn’t believe the majority of voters in her 76,000-person county mind that Spencer is running for sheriff, noting that many people view the shooting as justified.
A GiveSendGo campaign established by Spencer’s sister-in-law has raised more than $90,000 for his criminal defense, as well as money for therapy for the teen victim and both of her parents. Spencer is also seeking donations to help fund his campaign for sheriff.
With News Wire Services
