Clarence Wilkerson
Clarence Wilkerson, a 34-year-old Black man from Ashland, Kentucky, was remembered by his family as a goofy, generous man who loved football and was always willing to help others with shoes, socks and repairs. He left behind two children. On March 4, 2023, Ashland police detained him and placed him in a patrol car, and he was taken to King's Daughters Medical Center, where he died. Bystander video, which his family's attorney Ben Crump says shows officers not responding to his pleas for help, is part of the dispute. The Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death accidental and listed acute methamphetamine intoxication as the cause, while a bystander said he was not intoxicated when he left her home, and a Boyd County grand jury declined to file criminal charges.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The Kentucky State Medical Examiner ruled the death accidental from acute methamphetamine intoxication, while the family's lawyer Ben Crump says officers did not respond to pleas for help and a bystander says he was not intoxicated.
Reported by: Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); Ben Crump and the family (family or their lawyers); bystander who recorded video; Kentucky State Police Trooper Shane Goodall (outside investigators).