Davis McClendon was killed in what prosecutors describe as a deliberate act when he was struck by Bud Ackerman's pickup truck on a rural road near the victim's home, according to court documents filed in the case.
The key to understanding what led to the fatal encounter may lie in data recovered from Ackerman's truck computer, prosecutors said during a recent court hearing.
Background
McClendon, 42, died on the night of the incident after being struck by Ackerman's vehicle on a county road approximately half a mile from McClendon's residence. Initial investigators believed the collision may have been accidental, but subsequent evidence suggested otherwise.
According to prosecutors, Ackerman and McClendon had an ongoing dispute that dated back several months prior to the incident. The nature of the conflict remains sealed in court filings, though prosecutors indicated it was central to understanding the case.
The Investigation
Detectives with the county sheriff's office secured a warrant to search Ackerman's 2019 Chevrolet Silverado within days of the incident. Data extraction from the truck's onboard computer systems revealed driving patterns that prosecutors say contradict Ackerman's account of events.
"We were able to reconstruct the vehicle's movements in the minutes leading up to the collision," a District Attorney spokesperson said during a motion hearing. "The data tells a different story than what the defendant initially reported to investigators."
Ackerman has been charged with second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. He remains held without bond pending trial.
The defense has challenged the admissibility of the truck computer evidence, arguing that data extraction methods have not been properly validated in Oklahoma courts. A hearing on that motion is scheduled for next month.
Key Takeaways
- Bud Ackerman is charged with second-degree murder in connection with Davis McClendon's death
- Data from Ackerman's pickup truck computer allegedly shows driving patterns inconsistent with his initial statement to police
- Prosecutors say the dispute between Ackerman and McClendon dates back several months
- Defense attorneys are challenging the admissibility of electronic vehicle data
What's Next
A motions hearing scheduled for next month will determine whether the truck computer evidence can be admitted at trial. If successful, prosecutors say they expect to present driving behavior analysis alongside witness testimony about the relationship between the two men.
Ackerman's trial is tentatively set for early spring. He has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.