Special Circuit Court Judge Ralph Wilson Jr. has dismissed a second-degree murder charge against Aaron Spencer, an Arkansas sheriff candidate who was scheduled to go on trial for killing Michael Fosler in 2024.

The court ruled the case must be dropped due to missing evidence and misconduct by law enforcement deputies. Critical evidence—including a dash camera memory card from Fosler’s truck—was improperly handled, violating Spencer’s right to due process. Judge Wilson stated this conduct was “so egregious that it warrants dismissal.”

According to court documents, Spencer discovered his then-13-year-old daughter missing on October 15, 2024. He later found her in the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by Fosler. After forcing Fosler’s truck off the road and engaging in an altercation that resulted in a shooting death, Spencer called police to report the incident.

At the time, Fosler was out on bond following charges of dozens of sexual offenses against Spencer’s daughter. Prosecutors alleged Spencer planned the killing and could have reported the situation while pursuing Fosler. Spencer pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted to protect his child from a predator.

Spencer’s attorney, Erin Cassinelli, stated: “No member of this family should ever again be forced to walk into a courtroom and relive this horror.” She added that Spencer should have never been charged for protecting his child.

The dismissal follows months of legal turmoil in the case. A lower court initially issued an improper gag order on the trial, which the Arkansas Supreme Court reversed. Judge Elmore—who handled the case first—was removed after ordering the entire record sealed and restricting public access.

Spencer won the Republican primary for Lonoke County Sheriff in March 2024, defeating incumbent Sheriff John Staley, whose deputies had arrested Spencer on the murder charge. He now faces Democrat Brian Mitchell, Sr., and independent candidate Larry Behnke in the November election.