Rodney Hinton Jr.’s murder trial began Wednesday (October 7), with his attorney arguing he was legally insane when he fatally struck a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy shortly after viewing footage of his son’s death.
Hinton’s admission didn’t dispute that he struck and killed Larry Henderson. The central question at the trial is whether he understood that his actions were wrong, According to Local 12.
Henderson was directing traffic at the University of Cincinnati’s commencement in May 2025 when Hinton struck him with his car, according to Spectrum News 1.
Local 12 reported Hinton had been shown body-camera footage of his son, 18-year-old Ryan Hinton, being shot and killed by Cincinnati police hours before Henderson was killed.
Hinton’s aunt testified that she followed him from the police station and watched as he accelerated toward Henderson at the intersection.
Hinton faces five felony counts: two counts of aggravated murder, one count of murder and two counts of felonious assault, according to WCPO. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty, and Hinton could face life without parole if convicted.
Prosecutors argue that Hinton deliberately targeted Henderson and understood what he was doing, according to Local 12.
Hinton’s attorney, Clyde Bennett, pointed to his client’s history of serious mental illness, including schizoaffective disorder and psychosis, according to WCPO.
Bennett told jurors, “He did not understand the wrongness of his conduct when he killed Deputy Henderson.”
Testimony continued on Thursday (October 8), with the trial expected to last approximately three weeks.
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