Help Spencer Newcomer

In June 2012, Spencer Newcomer (shown above, right, with Massad Ayoob) was accosted by his neighbor David Wintermyer who threatened to kill him and reached in his pocket and drew out a black object. Coupled with threats to kill, what turned out to be a cell phone, appeared to Spencer to be a firearm. Fearing for his life, Spencer fatally shot Wintermyer but instead of the incident being viewed as a legitimate act of self defense, the York County, PA prosecutor chose to prosecute Newcomer for first-degree murder. After nine months in jail, Spencer was finally able to tell his story to a York County jury which, after only a few hours of deliberation, acquitted him of all wrong-doing.

The legal defense was costly but Spencer has been able to pay off all but $8,000, although injuries to his back and neck suffered during the arrest (despite being compliant toward police) left him unable to work. In the ensuing seven years, he has undergone numerous surgeries to repair the physical damage he sustained.

Our fundraising goal of $20,000 exceeds the amount owed his attorney because we would like to see Spencer get back on his feet. He has been forced to sell off all his personal belongings including his guns and house to pay his expenses.

It is our desire that if we can meet or exceed the goal of $20,000, Spencer will be in a position to regain meaningful employment and rebuild his life.

We are asking for donations of $10 to $20 apiece from members of the Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network and from other gun owners who have benefitted from the legal education his story (published in installments one , two , and three ) provides.

Let’s show how compassionate members of the Network and armed citizens can be!

Note: Proceeds from the fundraiser will be distributed to Spencer and his attorney by the Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network at the conclusion of this three-month fund raising campaign.