This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. State police said the investigation of Wilkerson’s death is ongoing.Ĭopyright 2023 The Associated Press. The latest local news, sports and community headlines are only a tap away on your smartphone and tablet 24/7 with this new app from the Ashland Daily Press. Wilkerson’s mother, Sherri Ford, told the Daily Independent newspaper her son had a heart condition that required a catheter when he was in his late 20s.ĭozens of friends and family members held a vigil for Wilkerson in Ashland on Tuesday.Īshland Police said the officers were placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated. Crump said Wilkerson’s death was preventable, but “officers did not take his clearly declining condition seriously.” The video then shows the man is put in the cruiser and driven away. Wilkerson is only seen in the first approximately 90 seconds of the video, but he can be heard saying he “can’t breathe.” He appears unstable as officers helped him to his feet and led him to a police cruiser. I want The Daily Independent Online in print and available digitally everywhere I am. One of the officers said he told the man on the ground he had a warrant for his arrest and the man ran away.Ī woman filming the video repeatedly said the man looks pale and is “passing out.” While police have not yet released footage, a video shot by a bystander and posted to YouTube earlier this week apparently shows who Crump said is Wilkerson handcuffed behind his back and sitting on the ground with four Ashland police officers around him. A message was left with state police seeking more information. Recommended Reviews - The Daily Independent Map 224 17th St. The Ashland Police Department is referring all requests for more information to the Kentucky State Police. The requested investigation does not necessarily mean the death occurred under suspicious circumstances, as Kentucky police departments often request state police investigations into similar cases, including officer-involved shootings.

Family members said Wilkerson, 34, had a heart condition.Ĭivil rights attorney Ben Crump, who Wilkerson’s family has hired, asked for the police department to release footage related to the incident. Police have not yet said what the warrant was for.Īn autopsy by the state medical examiner said Wilkerson’s death was “possibly related to preexisting medical ailments” and not a “traumatic event,” according to a release from state police. Police were serving a warrant to Wilkerson, who is Black. Take The Independent with you wherever and whenever you go. (AP) - The death of a Kentucky man while in police custody has prompted a state police investigation, and family members are questioning why officers apparently didn’t give him medical attention at the scene.Ĭlarence Wilkerson died while in police custody on March 2 after he was detained by Ashland police officers, Kentucky State Police said. LANSING Donald Holmes Ashland, 82, of Lansing, passed away on Sunday, Feb.

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