Defense lawyers for Aaron Spencer, an Arkansas father accused of fatally shooting his daughter’s suspected stalker, believe that charges against him will be reduced. Spencer, 36, reported his daughter missing and found her in 67-year-old Michael Fosler’s car, where he shot and killed Fosler. Spencer was arrested and charged with first-degree murder but was released on bond. Spencer’s wife, Heather, revealed on Facebook that Fosler had a “no contact” order with their 14-year-old daughter due to stalking and rape incidents. The couple feared that Fosler might harm their daughter, unaware that he was in contact with her again.
Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley confirmed that Fosler had previously been arrested for stalking a child and sexual assault. The sheriff’s office is investigating the shooting to determine if it was justified. Brian Claypool, a California-based attorney with experience in child sexual abuse cases, suggests that Spencer’s lawyers could argue a defense of “heat of passion” to reduce the murder charge to manslaughter. The timeline of events leading to the shooting will be crucial in determining this defense strategy. Additionally, Spencer’s legal team could argue self-defense, claiming that Spencer acted to protect his daughter from imminent harm.
Claypool explains that self-defense laws typically require the individual to be in imminent fear of grave bodily harm to use deadly force. Spencer’s attorneys may argue that he shot Fosler in defense of his daughter to prevent harm from occurring. The investigative response of law enforcement to the Spencer family’s calls for help before the shooting will also be examined. Claypool emphasizes the importance of understanding where law enforcement was dispatched and what efforts were made to locate the missing 14-year-old girl. These factors could impact the trial proceedings and outcome for Spencer.
The defense will focus on establishing the circumstances that led to Spencer taking action against Fosler, highlighting the potential threat to his daughter’s safety. Claypool suggests that if Spencer can demonstrate that he acted out of fear for his daughter’s life and in response to a perceived threat from Fosler, it could mitigate the severity of the charges against him. By presenting a compelling argument for self-defense or heat of passion, Spencer’s attorneys aim to reduce his potential sentence and secure a more favorable outcome in court. The investigation into the shooting and law enforcement’s handling of the situation will be critical in determining the legal defenses available to Aaron Spencer.
Overall, the case involving Aaron Spencer’s shooting of his daughter’s suspected stalker is complex and involves potentially mitigating circumstances that could impact the charges brought against him. The defense is preparing to argue for a reduction in charges by highlighting Spencer’s perceived threat to his daughter and his actions in response to that threat. The investigation into the shooting and the law enforcement response will play a significant role in shaping the legal strategies employed by Spencer’s attorneys. As the case progresses, key details regarding the events leading up to the shooting and the circumstances surrounding Fosler’s interaction with the minor will be crucial in determining the outcome of the trial and the potential consequences for Aaron Spencer.
