Rodney Hinton Jr. convicted in killing of Hamilton County deputy Larry Henderson

Rodney Hinton Jr. was found guilty on Friday in Cincinnati of murdering Hamilton County deputy Larry Henderson, closing a trial over the May 2, 2025 death of the retired sheriff’s deputy near Burnet Woods. Jurors convicted Hinton of murder, reckless homicide and felonious assault after two days of deliberations, according to WXIX.

What the jury decided

The verdict means jurors agreed with prosecutors that Hinton intentionally struck Henderson with his vehicle while Henderson was working traffic detail. Hinton was acquitted of aggravated murder, but the jury still returned guilty findings on the murder count and related charges.

• Convictions: murder, reckless homicide and felonious assault
• Acquittal: aggravated murder
• Sentencing date: Nov. 16, 2026
• Prosecutors’ request: 15 years to life in prison

Henderson was working near Burnet Woods when he was hit, according to the report. The jury reached its decision after two full days of deliberations in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.

How the defense and prosecutors framed the case

Defense attorney Clyde Bennett argued that Hinton was not trying to kill Henderson. He said Hinton was suffering from acute psychotic symptoms and severe mental illness and did not understand the wrongfulness of his actions at the time.

Prosecutors, by contrast, said the evidence showed the opposite: that Hinton saw Henderson’s uniform, reacted to what had happened to his son and then drove into Henderson on purpose. The jury rejected Hinton’s plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

The case took place hours after Hinton watched body-camera video of his son, Ryan Hinton, 19, being shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer. According to the report, that shooting was later ruled justified.

What happens next

After the verdict, Bennett told reporters he was disappointed and said he believed the crash video was a key factor in the murder conviction. He said the defense plans to appeal within 30 days after sentencing.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson also responded, saying he was pleased with the jury’s decision. In a statement quoted by WXIX, Wilson said the verdict reflects the evidence and noted Henderson’s long career in law enforcement.

For ordinary readers, the case is a reminder of how a single violent act can leave families, law enforcement and the wider community dealing with loss, grief and the long process of the courts. It also shows how juries weigh claims of mental illness against evidence of intent in serious criminal cases.

Source: Alexis Martin, Jared Goffinet