An Arkansas father, Aaron Spencer, is facing charges after fatally shooting 67-year-old Michael Fosler, who was suspected of stalking and raping Spencer's 14-year-old daughter. The incident unfolded when Spencer found his daughter in Fosler's car, leading to a confrontation where Spencer shot Fosler dead.
Spencer was initially arrested on a preliminary charge of first-degree murder but was released after posting bond. His wife, Heather, revealed on Facebook that Fosler had a history of stalking and assaulting their daughter, with a previous 'no contact' order in place.
Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley disclosed that Fosler had been arrested in July on charges of stalking a child and sexual assault but was released on bond. The sheriff's office is currently investigating the shooting to determine if it was justified.
Legal expert Brian Claypool suggested that Spencer's defense team could argue for a reduction in charges based on the 'heat of passion' defense. This defense claims that Spencer acted in the midst of an emotional disturbance, potentially reducing the murder charge to manslaughter.
Claypool also mentioned the possibility of a self-defense argument, where Spencer could claim he acted to protect his daughter from imminent harm. The timeline of events leading up to the shooting will be crucial in determining the validity of these defense strategies.
Claypool emphasized the importance of scrutinizing law enforcement's response to the Spencer family's calls for help. He highlighted the need for a thorough investigation into how authorities handled the situation and whether adequate efforts were made to locate the missing teenager.
The Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has not provided any comments on the case so far. As the investigation unfolds, Spencer's legal team will continue to build their defense to potentially reduce or eliminate the charges against him.
