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In a dramatic turn of events, an Arkansas man accused of murdering his daughter’s alleged predator has clinched the Republican nomination for sheriff in his rural county. Aaron Spencer, who is awaiting trial for the murder charge, campaigned with a focus on the perceived inadequacies of local law enforcement.
According to unofficial results from the Arkansas secretary of state, Spencer triumphed over incumbent Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley in the primary elections held on Tuesday. Should Spencer be convicted of killing 67-year-old Michael Fosler, who was out on bond for allegedly committing multiple sexual offenses against Spencer’s then-13-year-old daughter, he would be barred from taking office.
While Spencer’s legal team acknowledges that he indeed shot Fosler, they argue that his actions were justified as a means to protect his daughter from a dangerous individual.
Spencer secured over 53% of the votes, with all precincts reporting, as per the unofficial tally. Meanwhile, Staley, whose department was responsible for Spencer’s arrest in 2024, has accepted the outcome of the election.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Staley expressed his acknowledgment of the results, saying, “Congratulations to Mr. Spencer. Tonight, the voters made their decision in the Republican Primary, and I respect that decision.”
Spencer’s campaign and attorneys did not immediately respond Wednesday to messages seeking comment.
He is now set to face Democrat Brian Mitchell Sr. in the heavily Republican county in November.
Spencer has pleaded not guilty and is out on bond while awaiting trial, which was originally scheduled to start in January. The trial was delayed after the presiding judge was removed from the case. A new date has not been set.
Court documents show that on the night of the October 2024 shooting, Spencer woke up to find his daughter missing from her bedroom and went searching for her in his truck. He found the girl in the passenger seat of a vehicle Fosler was driving. Spencer forced Fosler’s truck off the highway and, after an altercation, called 911 to report he had shot the man, records show.
Spencer pledged in a Facebook post last month that if elected he would establish a dedicated team to combat sex crimes against children.