Special Circuit Court Judge Ralph Wilson Jr. dismissed a second-degree murder charge against Aaron Spencer on Thursday, June 4, 2026, ruling that law enforcement mishandled critical evidence in the case. Spencer, an Army veteran and Republican nominee for Lonoke County sheriff, faced charges stemming from the 2024 shooting death of Michael Fosler, a 67-year-old man who was out on bond after being charged with numerous sexual offenses involving Spencer’s then-13-year-old daughter.

Spencer’s attorneys acknowledged he shot and killed Fosler but maintained he acted within the law to protect his child. Judge Wilson cited severe due process violations tied to investigators’ handling of a dash camera and missing memory card, stating that the lost SD card could have captured the altercation itself. The ruling, described by Wilson as an “extraordinary and extreme remedy,” found law enforcement conduct so egregious that dismissal was warranted under the totality of circumstances.

Spencer credited community support following his trial delay, noting neighbors across Arkansas and beyond had rallied behind him. He won more than 53% of the vote in March’s Republican primary for Lonoke County sheriff after running against the incumbent sheriff whose office arrested him. Spencer will face Democratic nominee Brian Mitchell Sr. this fall.

Wilson’s decision directly addresses whether the legal system can fairly prosecute cases when evidence preservation fails, positioning the ruling at the heart of a sheriff’s race where voters question who can reliably protect families.