AR - Aaron Spencer, 36, a man was stalking his 14 yo dau, killed him, faces 1st degree murder charge, Lonoke County, 8 Oct 2024

[sunspun]

But, the situation itself goes back months before. On July 8, 2024, Spencer arrived at the house of an acquaintance of Fosler.

According to the filing, Spencer told the acquaintance that Fosler raped his minor daughter and wanted his phone number and address. The acquaintance spoke with a family member of Spencer's, who is a mandated reporter required to report the rape allegations to law enforcement. She then reported it to the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office.

Spencer's daughter was interviewed at the Wade Knox Children's Advocacy Center that same day. Three days later, on July 11, Fosler was taken into custody on one count of rape and one count of internet stalking a child.

New court filing details timeline in Aaron Spencer case, Attorney and Sheriff respond

Lonoke County prosecutors have released a detailed timeline outlining the events leading up to the shooting death of 67-year-old Michael Fosler, as the second-d

katv.com

Wait, do I understand this correctly? Spencer found out about the rape but didn’t report it to LE? Someone who is a mandatory reporter did? So what was Aaron going to do, directly confront Fosler himself?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not defending Fosler, nor am I sympathetic to him in any way. But no one can take justice into their own hands, it simply cannot be allowed.

How did Spencer find out Fosler had raped and stalked his daughter?

And actually, it sounds like not only did Spencer not report it to police, but neither did the acquaintance who he went to trying to get his phone and address. Police didn't hear about it til that acquaintance told someone else, and because she was a mandated reporter, she finally reported it to LE.

 

[sunspun]

“The evidence the defense wants to exclude regarding Spencer’s statements wherein he clearly indicated he did not wish police involvement in his daughter’s rape investigation, his implicit comments that he could take the law into his own hands and not be charged with a crime are directly related to his actions on the night of October 8, 2024,” the prosecution wrote.

In the filing, the prosecution states that on July 8, 2024, before Fosler had been arrested, Spencer went to the home of one of Fosler’s acquaintances, asking for his address and phone number.

He asked that acquaintance of Fosler’s not to call the police, but word did get out, which led two Lonoke County Sheriff’s Officers to visit Spencer’s home that same day.

A transcript of that conversation, which was recorded by one of the officer’s body-worn cameras, is in the state’s filing.

According to that transcript, Spencer asked the officers, “What’s going to happen to that man when you arrest him and prosecute him and this and that? Three to five? What, he’s just rolling around, cruising, grooming?”

Spencer then asked one of the officers how he would feel if the same thing were to happen to his own child, to which the officer responded that it had.

New details released in case of Arkansas dad charged with murder after shooting man found with his teen daughter

Prosecutors released new details in the case of Aaron Spencer, the Arkansas man charged with killing a man whom he found in a car with his 14-year-old daughter.

www.thv11.com

What was that last part? The policeman told Spencer that his (the officer's) own daughter had also been raped by someone? Was there any more on the body cam after he said that to Spencer? I just wonder if that officer, having gone thru something similar, might have said things to Spencer that encouraged him to handle it himself.

 

[Knox]

What was that last part? The policeman told Spencer that his (the officer's) own daughter had also been raped by someone? Was there any more on the body cam after he said that to Spencer? I just wonder if that officer, having gone thru something similar, might have said things to Spencer that encouraged him to handle it himself.

Not even close to what was said … from the same article.

When told the man responsible for that crime was in prison, Spencer indicated his belief that he and other child abusers still pose a danger to society even when incarcerated, “He’s going to get back out, isn’t he?... He’s going to go around and f*ck more kids, okay?" said Spencer.

When an officer told Spencer, “We still don’t live in a country where you can take the law into your own hands. Okay?”

Spencer simply replied, “B******t.”

 

[Knox]

These are the circumstances the prosecutor alluded too previously. Now that the gag order has been removed, we’re hearing more details.

There was something about the circumstances the night Fosler was killed that didn’t make sense to me from the beginning. But out of consideration for the victim I didn’t want to seem insensitive. I do understand some things about trauma bonding and realize it happens.

But it seems there is a chance Aaron really did set Fosler up? What we’re not hearing, is how Fosler communicated with the minor in order to get her out of the house and into his vehicle? There has to be a trail for that right?

IIRC, Fosler hired a expensive defense attorney. I wonder if he was deposed and has anything interesting to say?

 

[Megnut]

“The evidence the defense wants to exclude regarding Spencer’s statements wherein he clearly indicated he did not wish police involvement in his daughter’s rape investigation, his implicit comments that he could take the law into his own hands and not be charged with a crime are directly related to his actions on the night of October 8, 2024,” the prosecution wrote.

In the filing, the prosecution states that on July 8, 2024, before Fosler had been arrested, Spencer went to the home of one of Fosler’s acquaintances, asking for his address and phone number.

He asked that acquaintance of Fosler’s not to call the police, but word did get out, which led two Lonoke County Sheriff’s Officers to visit Spencer’s home that same day.

A transcript of that conversation, which was recorded by one of the officer’s body-worn cameras, is in the state’s filing.

According to that transcript, Spencer asked the officers, “What’s going to happen to that man when you arrest him and prosecute him and this and that? Three to five? What, he’s just rolling around, cruising, grooming?”

Spencer then asked one of the officers how he would feel if the same thing were to happen to his own child, to which the officer responded that it had.

New details released in case of Arkansas dad charged with murder after shooting man found with his teen daughter

Prosecutors released new details in the case of Aaron Spencer, the Arkansas man charged with killing a man whom he found in a car with his 14-year-old daughter.

www.thv11.com

Well, that flips the script, doesn't it?

We don't live in a country...

As much as I HATE the situation (his daughter being violated), we don't do vigilante justice here.

It is pretty clear he had a thousand off ramps to alert LE and let LE handle the situation but that isn't what he wanted nor what he set out to do. He put the target on that offender and intended to kill him fin the start IMO.

Rage the jury can relate to (in that circumstance) but riddling a man with bullets because you want to exert your own brand of justice, I don't know that a jury will be so understanding of that level of pre-meditation.

I'll be watching.

JMO

 

[scapa]

Well, that flips the script, doesn't it?

We don't live in a country...

As much as I HATE the situation, we don't do vigilante justice here.

It is pretty clear he has a thousand off ramps to alert LE and let LE handle the situation but that isn't what he wanted nor what he set out to do. He put the target on that offender and intended to kill him fin the start IMO.

Rage the jury can relate to (in that circumstance) but riddling a man with bullets because you want to exert your own brand of justice, I don't know that a jury will be so understanding of that level of pre-meditation.

I'll be watching.

JMO

Well put and I agree.

Enraging as even a well-functioning justice system can be, endorsing vigilante justice in a situation where other options were available is a dangerous step.

Dangerous for an ordinary citizen -- and still more so in an elected sheriff with armed subordinates at his disposal, IMO.

 

[Knox]

IMO, after hearing these new details - there is no Jury Nullification in Aaron Spencers future, perhaps not even an Acquittal. The precedent even an acquittal would set, would be dangerous.

An innocent person accused of a heinous crime could be killed without justification. That puts you, me, or someone we love, in danger.

To be clear, I started out completely on Aaron's side. In addition to Folser's stalking/rape accusations, they found C P in his home, he wasn't an innocent man. Other older victims from other state's he lived in were also coming forward after he was arrested. He was a dangerous predator.

I guess it's best to wait for the trial and listen to all the testimony, but recordings on body-cam's don't lie.

 

[sunspun]

Not even close to what was said … from the same article.

When told the man responsible for that crime was in prison, Spencer indicated his belief that he and other child abusers still pose a danger to society even when incarcerated, “He’s going to get back out, isn’t he?... He’s going to go around and f*ck more kids, okay?" said Spencer.

When an officer told Spencer, “We still don’t live in a country where you can take the law into your own hands. Okay?”

Spencer simply replied, “B******t.”

What? What happened to this (from the post above via bodycam):

Spencer then asked one of the officers how he would feel if the same thing were to happen to his own child, to which the officer responded that it had.
???

 

[Knox]

What? What happened to this (from the post above via bodycam):

Spencer then asked one of the officers how he would feel if the same thing were to happen to his own child, to which the officer responded that it had.
???

I responded to your thought stating the officer said something to encourage Spencer to "handle it himself". The officer did no such thing.

Maybe go back and read the whole article so it makes sense for you? I can't paste the whole relevant portion (copyright rules).

 

[appleatcha]

Although I understand it, I don't agree with the majority opinion here that this is "vigilante justice." On the night that Spencer killed Fosler, Fosler had the victim in his car and was trying to escape with her. She was the primary witness in the case against him, so he had strong motives to make her disappear. I believe that Spencer had every reason to think his child's life was in immediate danger and that the actions he took were necessary to save her life. I don't like Spencer, but I don't think this was murder. MOO.

 

[NuttMegg]

Although I understand it, I don't agree with the majority opinion here that this is "vigilante justice." On the night that Spencer killed Fosler, Fosler had the victim in his car and was trying to escape with her. She was the primary witness in the case against him, so he had strong motives to make her disappear. I believe that Spencer had every reason to think his child's life was in immediate danger and that the actions he took were necessary to save her life. I don't like Spencer, but I don't think this was murder. MOO.

This latest bit goes like 0.00% towards changing my mind that Aaron should not be convicted. That couple had to live month after month realizing that Foster was being treated with kid gloves and that no one but he and his wife appeared to care.

 

[Megnut]

This latest bit goes like 0.00% towards changing my mind that Aaron should not be convicted. That couple had to live month after month realizing that Foster was being treated with kid gloves and that no one but he and his wife appeared to care.

I hear you, @NuttMegg but that's exactly the problem. I think we can all find a way to relate to his anger, frustration... but he had so many opportunities not to be a vigilante, including the entire duration of his car chase, as it were.

He had other choices.

Maybe not practical, but then neither is a prison sentence.

Move away.
Hire a bodyguard.

Like I'm saying, not practical, I get that. But if you consider the length he went to to protect his daughter, perhaps he could have been as passionate in coming up with a non-criminal way.

As I see it, he knew the law, he broke the law, he premeditated a crime should the conditions arise, and now he had to accept the the proper penalty for taking a life, regardless of why he took it.

Sure highlights the sad fact that so many SRO-types get hand-slapped and returned to society where they, no surprise, re-offend.

But if every father took out every SRO (yes, we'd have a lot less SA crimes), we'd have chaos as a society.

This dad didn't want to trust LE or the justice system (fair enough) so he took matters into his own hands (we can't have and be a civilized society or every trial would be interrupted by wounded families murdering murderers in the courtroom. We ALL want justice sped up and perpetrators held long. We share the frustration.

Anyway, that's where I'm at. He rolled the dice. Protected his daughter his way, and at cost. I'll watch to see what the State and a jury thinks that should cost.

JMO

 

[dalsglen]

This latest bit goes like 0.00% towards changing my mind that Aaron should not be convicted. That couple had to live month after month realizing that Foster was being treated with kid gloves and that no one but he and his wife appeared to care.

Yeah I can't say much else but good on him.

 

[tara83]

I hear you, @NuttMegg but that's exactly the problem. I think we can all find a way to relate to his anger, frustration... but he had so many opportunities not to be a vigilante, including the entire duration of his car chase, as it were.

He had other choices.

Maybe not practical, but then neither is a prison sentence.

Move away.
Hire a bodyguard.

Like I'm saying, not practical, I get that. But if you consider the length he went to to protect his daughter, perhaps he could have been as passionate in coming up with a non-criminal way.

As I see it, he knew the law, he broke the law, he premeditated a crime should the conditions arise, and now he had to accept the the proper penalty for taking a life, regardless of why he took it.

Sure highlights the sad fact that so many SRO-types get hand-slapped and returned to society where they, no surprise, re-offend.

But if every father took out every SRO (yes, we'd have a lot less SA crimes), we'd have chaos as a society.

This dad didn't want to trust LE or the justice system (fair enough) so he took matters into his own hands (we can't have and be a civilized society or every trial would be interrupted by wounded families murdering murderers in the courtroom. We ALL want justice sped up and perpetrators held long. We share the frustration.

Anyway, that's where I'm at. He rolled the dice. Protected his daughter his way, and at cost. I'll watch to see what the State and a jury thinks that should cost.

JMO

It's easy to say he had other choice but the only 2 you mentioned were move or hire a bodyguard. I don't know his finances but I sure couldn't afford to do either if I was in this situation so it's not that black or whire to me.

 

[Quill]

Are there people here that actually believe Spencer should have just let Fosler get away with his child in the car? This is insane. I'll add that no one truly knows what actually went on once it all went down. As far as those worried about innocent people getting caught up in vigilante justice, just how about trying not to be caught taking someone's minor child from their home and running away with them. This guy had an order of protection against him! He should have never been anywhere near this kid. He is to blame for his own demise. No one else.

 

[Charlot123]

All this praise for Aaron Spencer and parents like him can have devastating consequences. It can deter children from telling their parents about sexual abuse. The fear that your parents will kill your abuser and go to jail is a powerful incentive to stay silent.

I have heard too many women telling that when they were assaulted by dads' friends and told dads, the dads' responses would be, "it is your own fault, look at how you dress!" This is what deters kids from complaining, the fact that the adults don't take their side.

Maybe this case can be viewed in a different way: the father stands for his minor daughter, without accusing or blaming her.

I don't think that what people here are saying is praise. Rather, understanding how it could happen.

 

[Charlot123]

Question: could it be a "crime of passion"? There is a difference between that and vigilante justice, you know?

I can imagine the anger a parent would feel on seeing his minor child with a 60+ -year-old. I think that later in prison Spencer could have discussed it, even made a "philosophy" around it, but the moment it happened, he could have merely "seen red".

 

[Charlot123]

Sounds like the community might be in favor of voting for him according to the CNN story I linked.

I understand his feelings, but the sheriff has to act by the law. Not sure that it is a good role for him. A community leader, a spokesman for some organization, yes. But not the representative of the law.

 

[Charlot123]

RSBM

Minors who have been groomed do inexplicable things.

Possibly I've missed it but I've seen no statements from the minor victim in this case. Sadly many young victims do attach to their abusers. Not to mention if he threatened or blackmailed either her or her family.

What actually stood out to me was that he found the victim and her abuser at all. That's some luck.

I do agree with Knox and have been very interested to hear the prosecution's facts of the case, given the details we already know.

I'm personally having trouble thinking of any updates that would cause me to feel his actions were 100% unjustifiable, but I will remain open to possibilities...

This minor could have been lured by money, drugs, shopping or "adult life", too. I can't imagine a 13-year-old being attracted by a cute 25- or even 13-year-old, but a 63-year-old from the Lonoke County, unlikely.

 

[Quill]

I understand his feelings, but the sheriff has to act by the law. Not sure that it is a good role for him. A community leader, a spokesman for some organization, yes. But not the representative of the law.

Self-defense is not against the law. Defending your minor child in the absence of law enforcement presence is considered self-defence.