LONOKE, Ark. — An Arkansas father being charged with second-degree murder after fatally shooting a man he found in a car with his teenage daughter has now pleaded not guilty.
After second-degree murder charges were filed by prosecutors last week, Aaron Spencer pleaded not guilty to those charges during an arraignment that was held at the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office on December 2, 2024.
According to reports from the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office, the initial incident happened around 1:12 a.m. on October 8, when deputies were called to a home on Highway 236 East with reports of a missing 14-year-old girl.
Reports said that the father of the teen, Aaron Spencer, had reportedly found the teen inside a vehicle with a man identified as Michael Fosler.
A confrontation between Spencer and Fosler ensued and as frustrations grew, Fosler was allegedly shot by Spencer. After authorities arrived at the scene, they pronounced Fosler dead.
Following the incident, Spencer was taken into custody and transported to the Lonoke County Detention Center where he is being charged with second-degree murder for the alleged shooting death of Fosler.
Defense lawyer Erin Cassinelli, explained how many parents would do the same thing as Spencer given the circumstances.
“He was absolutely fearful for her life, not to mention that she had been repeatedly the subject of multiple assaults, violent assaults on a child,” Cassinelli added.
According to court files, authorities said Fosler had been previously charged with two counts of alleged internet stalking of a child, two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, and two counts of sexual indecency with a child.
Additionally, Fosler was also charged with 36 counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials.
No information has been released on whether or not the family had any prior connection to Fosler.
Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Graham, who charged Spencer with second-degree murder explained how Spencer’s “fear” is only part of the story and that there is more to the situation.
“They have a lot to say about the situation and me, but what’s not being put out there is the whole story and ethically I can’t go much further,” Graham said.
Currently, Spencer is out on bond. His jury trial date will be set for March 19, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.