Prosecutors and defense differ over Rodney Hinton Jr.'s mental state

Hinton has schizoaffective disorder; Bennett describes a psychotic episode

Hamilton County Deputy Larry Ray Henderson Jr. was killed in Cincinnati while directing traffic for a college graduation, when Rodney Hinton Jr.’s car struck him. Henderson had spent decades working for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and had retired from the department a few months before the crash, but he was still working off-duty assignments.

The case focused heavily on Hinton’s mental state during the crash. Defense attorney Clyde Bennett II said in closing arguments that Hinton was trying to kill himself when he drove into the intersection and described him as having a psychotic episode. Hinton was also diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and other mental illnesses.

Prosecutors said that although Hinton was distraught and grieving, he made the choice to aim his car at the deputy, and that his mental illnesses did not stop him from understanding what was right and wrong.

Hinton’s teenage son, Ryan, 18, had been fatally shot by a Cincinnati police officer the day before the crash. The deadly crash in May 2025 came a few hours after Hinton and other family members watched police body-camera footage of that shooting. Ryan was shot twice during a chase.

The officer who fired told investigators that the suspect pointed a gun at him, Cincinnati’s police chief has said. The officer was not charged in Ryan Hinton’s death. Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said last year that a review of the shooting found that the officer was “legally justified in his use of force.” Pillich said Hinton had a fully loaded gun and pointed it at officers when they confronted him.

On Friday, the jury rejected the insanity defense and convicted Hinton of murder for the crash. The same verdict found him guilty of reckless homicide and felonious assault. Hinton had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and Bennett said he would appeal the conviction.

Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said the jury’s verdict brought some closure and helped provide justice for Henderson.

Hinton faces 15 years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole, on the murder conviction. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 16.

During Henderson’s funeral last year, he was described as a selfless colleague, a dedicated public servant and someone who regularly volunteered for the most dangerous assignments.