Ohio father who ran over deputy one day after son was killed in a police shooting convicted of murder

Rodney Hinton Jr. faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years for the murder conviction. His defense team argued that he was not guilty of the crime by reason of insanity.

An Ohio father who fatally struck a county deputy with his vehicle one day after his son was shot and killed by Cincinnati police has been convicted of murder.

On Friday, a jury found Rodney Hinton Jr. guilty of murder, reckless homicide and felonious assault in the May 2025 death of Hamilton County Deputy Larry Ray Henderson Jr. Henderson, who retired from the Sheriff’s Office months before his death, was directing traffic near a college graduation as one of his off-duty assignments.

The jury took three days to deliberate before handing down its verdict.

Hinton previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. His attorney, Clyde Bennett II, said he plans to appeal the conviction.

“The fight’s not over,” Bennett said.

Ohio’s Attorney General, Andy Wilson, was thankful for the jury’s decision.

“The senseless murder of Deputy Larry Henderson Jr shattered a family and left a community mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant who had spent 33 years on the job,” Wilson said in a statement. “We are thankful to the jury for its verdict, which accurately reflects the evidence in this case.”

A day before Henderson’s death, Hinton viewed the body camera footage from a shooting involving a Cincinnati police officer and his son, Ryan Hinton. The 18-year-old was among three other individuals inside a car reported stolen. Officers also alleged that Ryan was armed with a gun.

In the body cam footage, one officer can be heard yelling he’s got a gun as Ryan runs away from them. The officer then shot Ryan four times, killing him. While a firearm was recovered at the scene, it remains unclear if Ryan pointed the gun at officers before they opened fire. The officer was not charged in relation to the shooting, and his use of force was “legally justified.”

According to prosecutors, witnessing the footage sent Rodney Hinton into his own vehicle, where he struck Henderson.

Hinton’s defense argued that he experienced a psychotic episode and was attempting to take his own life when he drove into the intersection where Henderson was standing. During the 10-day trial, it was revealed that Hinton was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and other mental illnesses.

Rodney Hinton now faces up to life in prison for the murder conviction, though he is eligible for parole after 15 years. He’s due back in court for sentencing in November.