Ohio Man Convicted of Murdering Deputy Who Was Hit by Car After Son's Police Shooting

Rodney Hinton Jr. found guilty of murder for deliberately killing Hamilton County Deputy Larry Henderson on 2 May 2025. Sentencing set for 16 November.

Ohio jury convicts man of murder in deliberate car attack on deputy

A jury in Hamilton County, Ohio, has found Rodney Hinton Jr. guilty of murder, reckless homicide and felonious assault for deliberately driving his car into and killing Deputy Larry Henderson on 2 May 2025, kcbd.com reports.

Hinton will be sentenced on 16 November. Prosecutors have asked the court to impose a term of 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 in a statement.

Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said the verdict offered her office a measure of closure after a trial that repeatedly revisited Henderson's death. "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."

The attack took place hours after Hinton watched body camera footage showing his 19-year-old son, Ryan Hinton, being fatally shot by a Cincinnati police officer. The jury was asked to determine whether Hinton had purposefully targeted Henderson, who was directing traffic near Burnet Woods at the time.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said Ryan Hinton had been running from police, dropped a gun and subsequently picked it back up. The shooting was later ruled justified.

Defence attorney Clyde Bennett argued that his client had not been aiming for the deputy. Bennett contended that Rodney Hinton was experiencing acute psychotic symptoms and severe mental illness at the time, and therefore did not understand the wrongfulness of his actions.

Prosecutors rejected that argument, saying the evidence left no doubt that Hinton had intentionally driven into Henderson after seeing the deputy's uniform and reacting to the loss of his son.

Speaking to reporters after the verdict was returned on Friday, Bennett said he was "disappointed" and indicated he believed footage of the crash had proved decisive for the jury. He announced plans to file an appeal within 30 days of sentencing.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson issued a statement welcoming 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," Wilson said. "We are thankful to the jury for its verdict, which accurately reflects the evidence in this case."

Wilson noted that Henderson had served 33 years in law enforcement. "He died fulfilling his duty," the attorney general said. "His death is a painful reminder of the risks that law enforcement officers face every day."

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)