An Arkansas father awaiting trial for killing a man who allegedly sexually abused his daughter has won the Republican nomination in a county sheriff’s race, according to reports.
Aaron Spencer garnered more than half of the votes, — about 53% — in Lonoke County, beating current Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley — who received more than 26% of votes — in the primary elections held Tuesday, March 3, according to state results. Spencer also beat another candidate, David A. Bufford, who garnered nearly 20% of the votes.
Staley congratulated Spencer on his win in a post shared to Facebook, in which the sheriff wrote: “Tonight the voters made their decision in the Republican Primary, and I respect the decision.”
Spencer, 37, is set to go to trial in connection with the October 2024 death of Michael Fosler, who had been facing criminal charges in connection with the sexual abuse of Spencer’s daughter when she was 13, the Associated Press reported.
If he is found guilty, Spencer would be ineligible to serve as sheriff, according to The Associated Press.
Following the primary elections, Spencer said in a statement shared to Facebook on Wednesday, March 4, that “Lonoke County sent a clear message last night, and we’re just getting started.”
“I’m running to restore accountability and integrity to the Sheriff’s Office, and the people of this county just showed they want the same thing,” Spencer added.
Spencer is accused of shooting Fosler to death in 2024 after he discovered Fosler inside Fosler’s truck with Spencer’s daughter, according to court records viewed by the Arkansas Advocate. He is facing a second-degree murder charge over the shooting.
In a campaign video shared to Facebook in October, Spencer said “I’m the father who acted to protect his daughter when the system failed.”
“And through my own fight for justice, I have seen firsthand the failures in law enforcement and in our circuit court,” Spencer added.
Prosecutors have accused Spencer of having a plan to kill Fosler, the Associated Press reported.
One of his defense attorneys, Erin Cassinelli, said in an emailed statement to Us Weekly on Thursday, March 5, that “Aaron did exactly what the law allows and exactly what any father would do: he protected his daughter and himself from harm.”
“At some point, those responsible for this prosecution will have to reckon with that,” Cassinelli added.
“Lonoke County residents have rallied behind Aaron — not just in his legal defense, but in his broader mission to bring accountability to a county government that has long operated without it,” Cassinelli also said. “Every time the facts of this case have come into focus, support for Aaron has grown. We expect the trial to be no different. We have complete confidence in the truth of Aaron’s innocence.”
In the fall, Spencer will run against the Democratic candidate for Lonoke County sheriff, Brian Mitchell Sr., according to the Arkansas Advocate.
In the meantime, he is awaiting a new trial date after his criminal trial, which was set to occur in January, was delayed, the news outlet reported.
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