US3 min(s) read
Published 15:21 06 Jun 2026 GMT
A murder charge against a father who shot his teenage daughter's alleged rapist was dropped after cops reportedly lost potential video evidence of the shooting.
In July 2024, Aaron Spencer discovered that his then 13-year-old daughter had been sexually assaulted multiple times by a person she met at a family friend’s house.
Shortly after the shocking allegations came to light, the alleged abuser, Michael Folser, 67, was arrested, facing 43 charges, including internet stalking and possessing child pornography.
However, he was released on a $50,000 bond. Just months later, in October 2024, he was fatally shot.
On the evening that Fosler died, Spencer realised that his daughter was missing and launched a search to find her. He eventually found the alleged abuser driving with his daughter in the car.
According to the confession he made in a call to 911, Spencer rammed Fosler’s car off the road and shot at him.
Spencer was expected to go on trial in relation to a second-degree murder charge. He pleaded not guilty to the crime, claiming that he acted to protect his child from a predator.
However, the charge has since been dismissed by a Special Circuit Court Judge as the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office reportedly lost potential video evidence of the alleged shooting.
According to People, the defense used the “bad faith” argument, which states: "1) efforts to conceal the existence of exculpatory information, its contents, or its destruction; 2) failing to adhere to rules and professional obligations; 3) deliberately omitting mention of evidence or omitting information from reports; and 4) failure to submit an item of evidence, denying its existence, failing to timely alert others to destruction of evidence, or misleading as to the circumstances."
Judge Ralph Wilson Jr. dismissed the case as an 'extraordinary and extreme remedy'.
The dismissal states: "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."
In spite of the charges, Spencer won the Republican primary to run for Lonoke County Sheriff and is set to compete to win later this year.
In a campaign video explaining why he is running for Lonoke County Sheriff, Spencer said: "Through my own fight for justice, I have seen firsthand the failures in law enforcement and in our circuit court. And I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures.
"This campaign isn't about me. It's about every parent, every neighbor, every family who deserves to feel safe in their homes and safe in the community.
"It's restoring trust where neighbors know law enforcement is on their side and families know that they will not be left alone in a moment of need."
