GREENWOOD, S.C. (Court TV) — A South Carolina man is standing trial for the death of the man dating his soon-to-be-ex-wife.
William Ackerman sits in court Tuesday, Sept. 24. 2024. (Court TV)
William ‘Bud’ Ackerman Jr. is charged with murdering Kenneth Davis McClendon, who died after he was hit by a car. But prosecutors say the crash was no accident.
McClendon was found outside of his vehicle at an intersection in Greenwood at approximately 1:30 a.m. on May 7, 2023. According to the coroner’s office, McClendon had been involved in an altercation with another individual before he was struck by a vehicle, WYFF reported.
Prosecutors say that approximately six months after Ackerman’s relationship with his wife fell apart, she began dating McClendon, according to the Index-Journal. Ackerman and his wife were four weeks from their divorce becoming final when McClendon was killed.
Over the course of their investigation, detectives said they determined that the crash was intentional and that Ackerman had used his 2019 Ford F-250 to hit the victim, according to WHNS. Ackerman has pleaded not guilty.
This is the second time Ackerman has faced trial after his first ended with a mistrial in July. Ackerman’s attorney, who had described McClendon’s death as an accident, collapsed during opening statements, the Index-Journal reported at the time.
DAILY TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS
DAY 4 – 10/2/24
- The trial of William Ackerman resumes after a delay due to weather conditions from Hurricane Helene.
- William “Bud” Ackerman Jr.’s Ford F250 struck Kenneth “Davis” McClendon and his BMW in a “side-swiped” collision on Avid Road near the intersection of Sawgrass Place. The pickup truck was traveling parallel to the BMW at the time of the crash.
- Corporal Christopher Brashear, an Accident Reconstructionist for the South Carolina High Patrol, told the jury that Ackerman’s 37-inch driver’s side front tire damaged the tire well of “Davis” McClendon’s BMW. Ackerman’s truck bumper caused a black scrape on the BMW’s front bumper.
- “Bud” Ackerman Jr. confronted one of his estranged wife’s friends at the Key West Bar earlier in the evening and asked, “Where your girl at?” Abigail Mohajer told the jury she attempted to change the conversation with Ackerman Jr. She then went to her car and called Meredith, telling her not to come to the bar.
- Kenneth “Davis” McClendon called “Bud” Ackerman Jr. three times before the incident.
DAY 3 – 9/26/24
- William “Bud” Ackerman’s ex-wife, Meredith Haynie, testifies in his murder case.
- WATCH: ‘He Has Been (Expletive) Meredith’: Texts Found on Defendant’s Phone
DAY 2 – 9/25/24
- The jury is shown evidence.
- Kenneth “Davis” McClendon’s blood was found on the exterior outside leg opening on William “Bud” Ackerman Jr.’s khaki shorts.
- A reddish-brown stain on the driver’s seat of Ackerman Jr.’s Ford F-250 pickup truck tested negative for blood.
- Jury shown photos from the aftermath of the crash site near the intersection of Avid Road and Sawgrass Place.
DAY 1 – 9/24/24
- The prosecution and defense delivered opening statements.
- Jurors watch home surveillance video capturing when “Bud” Ackerman’s truck crashes into “Davis” McClendon’s BMW.
- Megan McGovern described finding “Davis” McClendon’s body near his crashed vehicle.
- Law enforcement arrived to find “Davis” McClendon lying on his back with no shirt and only one shoe. McClendon was already deceased when the first responders arrived on the scene.
- Police located “Bud” Ackerman at his parent’s home, a half mile from the crash site.
- Ackerman Jr.’s Ford F-250 had a sizable dent in the hood, a circular smudge that appeared to be a palm print, and a scrape along the tire well.
