Cincinnati, Ohio (AP) — A man who struck and killed a county deputy with his car the day after his teenage son was shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer was convicted of murder Friday.
Rodney Hinton Jr. was also convicted of reckless homicide and felonious assault for last year’s crash that killed Deputy Larry Ray Henderson Jr. while directing traffic for a college graduation. Henderson, who had spent decades working for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, had retired from the department a few months before the accident but still worked off duty.
Hinton pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. His lawyer, Clyde Bennett II, said he would appeal the conviction.
Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said the jury’s verdict brought closure to the case and helped bring justice to Henderson.
The case focused primarily on Hinton’s mental state during the accident.
Bennett said in closing arguments that Hinton was trying to kill himself when he drove to the intersection and described him as having a psychotic episode. Hinton was also diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and other mental illnesses.
But prosecutors said that even though he was distraught and grieving, he made the choice to steer his car toward the deputy and that his mental illnesses did not prevent him from understanding what was right and wrong.
Hinton faces 15 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole for murder. Sentencing is scheduled for November 16.
The fatal May 2025 crash occurred hours after Hinton and other family members watched police body camera footage showing the officer fatally shoot her 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton.
He was shot twice during a chase. The officer who fired the shots told investigators the suspect pointed a gun at him, Cincinnati’s police chief said.
The officer has not been charged in connection with her death. Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said last year that a review of the shooting found the officer was “legally justified in his use of force.”
Hinton had a fully loaded gun and pointed it at the officers when they confronted him, Pillich said.
Henderson had a long career with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. At his funeral last year, he was described as a selfless colleague, a dedicated public servant and someone who regularly volunteered for the most dangerous missions.
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