Father, son indicted on reckless homicide charges for death of 24-year-old Hamilton man

Fred Anthony Carr II, left, and his son, Caleb Anthony Carr, appeared in a Butler County courtroom Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. They are charged with reckless homicide in connection with the May 10, 2025 stabbing death of Jacob Spencer. Bond was set at $200,000 each. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Fred Anthony Carr II, left, and his son, Caleb Anthony Carr, appeared in a Butler County courtroom Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. They are charged with reckless homicide in connection with the May 10, 2025 stabbing death of Jacob Spencer. Bond was set at $200,000 each. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

A father and son have been indicted on reckless homicide charges in connection with the stabbing death of a 24-year-old Hamilton man in May.

Fred Anthony Carr II, 36, of Hamilton and Caleb Anthony Carr, 18, of Trenton were arraigned Tuesday in a Butler County courtroom following a direct indictment by a grand jury Monday.

Each man is charged with a third-degree felony charge of reckless homicide, according to court documents.

The alleged victim, Jacob Spencer, 24, was killed in Hamilton May 10.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jon C. Marshall said in court Tuesday Fred Carr and Caleb Carr allegedly confronted Spencer on Wrenwood Drive in May and were “armed with a knife.”

“It resulted in Jacob being stabbed ... the coroner’s report indicates four separate stab wounds that resulted in Jacob passing away relatively quickly that night,” Marshall said.

Marshall said evidence was collected through interviews with the Carrs and doorbell and security camera footage.

David Washington, Caleb’s defense attorney, said Caleb had “no intention of doing anything criminal that night, much less anything to hurt anyone.”

“I think (Caleb) was brought into a situation that had absolutely nothing to do with (Caleb),” Washington said.

Spencer’s mother, Amy Gumm, spoke in court Tuesday.

“I had just talked to him an hour before he left the house, he was talking about a future, a career, a family,” she said. “And he goes and takes a walk, and he gets murdered. I’ve been living in seven months of torture.”

Gumm said she felt the charges were “unjust” and requested a high bond.

Judge Jennifer Muench-McElfresh set bond at $200,000 each for the Carrs.

They’ll be back in court Jan. 15 for a plea or trial setting.

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