Greenwood: A Tense Day in Court as Murder Trial for “Bud” Ackerman Jr. Unfolds
Emotions ran high this Wednesday in Greenwood as the murder trial for William “Bud” Ackerman Jr. continued into its fourth day. Ackerman stands accused of driving his truck into Kenneth Davis McClendon on May 7, 2023, in an incident deemed intentional by the prosecution.
Prosecutor John Conrad presented critical evidence by showing a thumb drive containing Verizon Wireless records to defense attorney Jack B. Swerling. The trial has captivated attention due to its intense emotional landscape and intricate narrative.
A Tangled Web of Relationships
As the courtroom listened intently, prosecutor John Meadors called Ackerman’s ex-wife, Meredith Haynie, to the stand. Haynie relived her history with Ackerman and shared how their relationship evolved from dating in 2006, to marrying in 2012, and eventually moving toward divorce in May of 2022. By December of the same year, Haynie had started dating Kenneth “Davis” McClendon.
When questioned if McClendon had any role in their separation, Haynie firmly stated, “Absolutely not.” She added that she and McClendon kept their relationship under wraps to avoid Ackerman’s awareness.
Uncovering a Dark Night
Haynie recounted the day Ackerman discovered her relationship with McClendon on April 29, 2023, expressing that Ackerman’s reaction was marked by anger and hurt. The tension mounted as she described the fateful day of May 6, 2023. The couple arrived at Break on the Lake in Greenwood around 8:44 p.m., only for Ackerman to video call her shortly after, at 8:47 p.m.
Meadors probed into Ackerman’s repeated attempts to ascertain Haynie’s whereabouts that night, punctuating the critical moment when Ackerman ominously declared, “‘Well, I’ll see you later tonight’.”
As the night wore on, things became increasingly strained. Ackerman persistently called Haynie, whom she finally answered at 12:38 a.m. She recognized the slurred speech and angry tone as indicative of his intoxication.
A Tragic Turn of Events
Despite threatening to call the police on Ackerman for drunk driving, Haynie opted to call his family instead. Yet, her calls went unanswered. Eventually, Ackerman’s relentless pursuit led to McClendon deciding to confront him directly. This would tragically be the last time Haynie saw McClendon alive.
The chilling sequence of events took a darker turn around 1:08 a.m., when Haynie spoke with McClendon for the last time. Data from Ackerman’s Ford Sync system revealed unsettling details: abrupt speed changes, brake slams, and eventually, a collision near Sawgrass Place and Avid Road.
Haynie, filled with dread, drove around with others searching for McClendon. They found his car with airbags deployed and later, his body by the roadside.
“I was scared he was still out there,” Haynie said tearfully, when describing her feelings at the moment of finding McClendon’s body.
The defense objected to her emotional statement, choosing not to cross-examine her afterward.
Analyzing Digital Evidence
The day concluded with testimony from experts like Lt. Matthew Womack and Brian Hudak, who provided insights into the digital investigations. The forensic analysis of Ackerman’s truck data indicated a potential collision, matching the GPS coordinates at the scene.
Hudak testified, “I believe there was a potential collision at this time,” reinforcing the prosecution’s narrative of an intentional crash.
The trial is set to resume at noon on Friday, with more testimonies anticipated to further unravel the extent of evidence against Ackerman.
Stay tuned for updates as this gripping case continues to unfold.
