Man who fatally hit deputy after his son was killed by police is convicted of murder

CINCINNATI (WXIX/Gray News) - A jury has found an Ohio man guilty of killing a Hamilton County deputy last year.

Rodney Hinton Jr. was found guilty of murder, reckless homicide and felonious assault for deliberately hitting and killing Deputy Larry Henderson on May 2, 2025.

He will be sentenced on Nov. 16. Prosecutors said they want Hinton to serve 15 years to life in prison.

“His family will never truly be able to fill that void, but we hope that today’s verdict brings them some sense of justice and peace,” prosecutors said.

Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said the verdict gives her office some sense of closure after reliving Henderson’s death throughout the trial.

“We do believe that is an appropriate finding,” McGuffey said. “Now we can come together and hug each other and tell each other, we’re here. We have some finality.”

Two sides of the case

The jury was tasked with determining if Hinton purposefully tried to kill Henderson as he directed traffic near Burnet Woods.

The crash occurred hours after Hinton watched body camera video of his son, Ryan Hinton, 19, who was fatally shot by a Cincinnati police officer.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said Rodney Hinton’s son was running from police, dropped a gun and later picked it back up. That shooting was later deemed justified.

Defense attorney Clyde Bennett argued Rodney Hinton was not aiming for the deputy.

Bennett claimed his client was suffering from acute psychotic symptoms and severe mental illness, meaning he did not understand the wrongfulness of his actions at the time.

Prosecutors said the evidence left no doubt that Hinton intentionally drove his car into Henderson.

They argued Hinton saw Henderson’s uniform, reacted to losing his son, and decided to take the life of one of their own.

Appeal to come

Bennett talked with reporters after the verdict was announced Friday.

He said he was “disappointed” in the jury’s verdict, adding he thinks the video of the crash is what sealed the murder conviction.

Bennett plans to file an appeal within 30 days of Hinton’s sentencing.

State AG responds

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson issued a statement on the verdict:

“The senseless murder of Deputy Larry Henderson Jr. shattered a family and left a community mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant. We are thankful to the jury for its verdict, which accurately reflects the evidence in this case.

Deputy Henderson spent 33 years honorably serving his community in law enforcement. He died fulfilling his duty. His death is a painful reminder of the risks that law enforcement officers face every day while working to keep us safe. They deserve our gratitude.’