In a tragic turn of events, an Ohio father has been convicted of murder for the fatal incident involving a sheriff’s deputy, which occurred just hours after he viewed body camera footage of his son being killed by police. Rodney L. Hinton was found guilty on Friday, as jurors deliberated following several days of testimony during the trial.
The incident in question happened in May 2025 when Hinton’s vehicle struck Hamilton County Special Deputy Larry Henderson. Prosecutors argued that Hinton intentionally targeted the deputy after experiencing intense grief and anger over the loss of his son, Ryan Hinton, who had been shot by a Cincinnati officer earlier that day.
During the trial, it was revealed that Hinton was called to the police station to view the body camera footage shortly before the crash. Witnesses described how Hinton’s vehicle accelerated rapidly just before the impact, leading to the conclusion that he acted with intent. Prosecutors stated that Deputy Henderson had little time to react as Hinton swerved to strike him.
Defense attorneys, however, contended that Hinton was suffering from mental health issues and requested a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. They argued that Hinton was in a state of emotional distress and unable to comprehend the nature of his actions at that moment.
Assistant Prosecutor Kate Burroughs highlighted that Hinton’s decision to accelerate towards the deputy was deliberate, stating, “Everything that happened that day was in the driver’s hands.” In contrast, the defense’s expert suggested Hinton was not aware of right from wrong at the time of the incident.
As the trial concluded, the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution. Hinton’s sentencing is set for November 16, marking a significant moment in a case filled with complexities surrounding grief, mental health, and the consequences of a tragic loss.
Photo credit: Liz Dufour
