SC v. William “Bud” Ackerman: Trial for the murder of a jealous husband

GREENWOOD, S.C. (Court TV) – A South Carolina man is on trial for the death of the man who was dating his soon-to-be ex-wife.

William “Bud” Ackerman Jr. is charged with the murder of Kenneth Davis McClendon, who died after being hit by a car. But prosecutors say the crash was not an accident.

McClendon was found outside his vehicle at an intersection in Greenwood around 1:30 a.m. on May 7, 2023. According to the coroner's office, McClendon was involved in an altercation with another person before he was struck by a vehicle, WYFF reported.

Prosecutors say Ackerman began dating McClendon about six months after his relationship with his wife broke down, according to the Index-Journal. Ackerman and his wife were four weeks away from finalizing their divorce when McClendon was killed.

According to WHNS, during the course of their investigation, investigators concluded that the crash was intentional and that Ackerman used his 2019 Ford F-250 to hit the victim. Ackerman has pleaded not guilty.

This is the second time Ackerman has appeared in court after his first trial ended in a mistrial in July. Ackerman's attorney, who had called McClendon's death an accident, collapsed during opening arguments, the Index-Journal reported at the time.

DAY 4 – 9/30/24

• The court date was canceled on Friday, September 27th due to weather conditions caused by Hurricane Helene.

DAY 3 – 9/26/24

DAY 2 – 9/25/24

• Evidence is presented to the jury.
  • Kenneth “Davis” McClendon’s blood was found on the outside leg opening of 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.
  • The jury was shown photos of the aftermath of the crash site near the intersection of Avid Road and Sawgrass Place.

DAY 1 – 9/24/24

• The prosecution and defense made opening statements.
• The jury is watching home surveillance video footage of “Bud” Ackerman's truck colliding with “Davis” McClendon's BMW.
• Megan McGovern described finding “Davis” McClendon's body near his crashed vehicle.
• When police arrived, they found “Davis” McClendon lying on his back with no shirt on and only one shoe on. McClendon had already died when first responders arrived at the scene.
• Police located “Bud” Ackerman at his parents’ home, a half-mile from the crash site.
• Ackerman Jr.'s Ford F-250 had a significant dent in the hood, a circular mark that looked like a palm print and a scratch along the tire well.