TL;DR: Testimony wrapped up Friday in the Cincinnati murder trial of Rodney Hinton Jr., 40, accused of deliberately driving his car into Hamilton County Deputy Larry Henderson on May 2, 2025 — hours after Hinton watched police bodycam footage of his 18-year-old son being fatally shot by officers. Hinton has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Closing arguments are set for Tuesday.
The Rodney Hinton trial is nearly in the jury’s hands. After two weeks in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, the defense presented its final rebuttal witnesses Friday, setting up closing arguments Tuesday before Judge Jody Luebbers, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Hinton, 40, faces aggravated murder, murder and two felonious-assault counts in Deputy Larry Henderson’s death. The jury must decide: grieving father in a psychotic break, or a furious man who chose revenge?
The Day Everything Collided: May 2, 2025
Henderson was directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati during graduation weekend when struck and killed. The state’s first witness was his wife Lori, who tearfully recalled their final morning — a quiet “I love you” before a shift he never came home from, the Enquirer reported.
Hours earlier, Hinton had watched bodycam video of his son Ryan, 18, fatally shot by Cincinnati police during a stolen-vehicle stop. An officer shouts “He’s got a gun!” before firing; a gun was recovered. The defense says watching his firstborn die shattered Hinton’s mind. The prosecution says it gave him a motive.
The State’s Case — and the Rebuttal
Prosecutor Heidi Rosales argues Hinton waited about 15 seconds in a turn lane on Martin Luther King Drive, then accelerated across lanes toward Henderson on a traffic island, the Enquirer reported. Reconstructionist Mike Flamm testified car data and shuttle-bus video showed Hinton “kept his vehicle on a course” at Henderson, wheel turned “hard and aggressive,” reaching 45 mph. Henderson was thrown 25 feet.
The rebuttal psychologists struck harder. Dr. Jaime Adkins testified Hinton told her: “I drove the car over in his direction and hit the officer” — describing an “emotional daze,” admitting “I had to turn a little bit to hit (the deputy),” according to the Enquirer. Asked if he knew what he was doing: “Sorta, kinda, not really… I wasn’t really thinking. Not rationally.” Angry at the officers in his son’s shooting, he answered “I don’t know” when asked if he knew Henderson wasn’t one of them. Dr. Jennifer O’Donnell testified Friday that Hinton knew his conduct was wrongful — he “admitted he hit the gas” and drove around listening to music to calm down: “I was hurting. It was my first son.”
The Insanity Defense
Attorney Clyde Bennett II counters that Hinton suffered a psychotic break compounded by bipolar disorder. Defense psychologist Dr. Maria Espinola testified he has schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, and PTSD, meeting Ohio’s insanity standard — not knowing his conduct was wrong. Bennett seized on Hinton’s report of hearing a voice as a possible hallucination.
On October 15, Judge Luebbers gave jurors a middle path: a reckless-homicide instruction carrying up to three years, available if they find recklessness rather than purpose but reject insanity.
What’s Next
Closings moved to Tuesday, October 20 — Bennett is unavailable Monday for a personal matter. After instructions, the jury deliberates, closing one of Hamilton County’s most watched trials: a deputy’s family on one side, a shattered father on the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rodney Hinton Jr.?
A 40-year-old Cincinnati man accused of deliberately driving into Deputy Larry Henderson on May 2, 2025. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Who was Deputy Henderson?
A longtime Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy killed directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati during graduation weekend. His wife Lori was the first witness.
What happened to Hinton’s son?
Hours before the crash, Hinton watched bodycam of his 18-year-old son Ryan fatally shot by Cincinnati police at a stolen-vehicle stop. “He’s got a gun!” is heard; a gun was recovered.
What’s the insanity argument?
That Hinton broke psychotically after watching his son die, compounded by bipolar disorder. A defense expert says schizoaffective disorder and PTSD met Ohio’s insanity standard.
What do prosecutors cite?
Crash data and video of Hinton steering “hard and aggressive” at 45 mph into Henderson — plus Hinton’s own words: “I drove the car over in his direction and hit the officer.”
What is the reckless-homicide option?
A lesser charge added October 15: up to three years if jurors find recklessness, not purpose, and reject the insanity claim.
When are closings?
Tuesday, October 20, delayed a day because defense attorney Clyde Bennett II is unavailable Monday.
Possible outcomes?
Conviction on aggravated murder or murder, conviction on reckless homicide, not guilty by reason of insanity (mental-health commitment), or acquittal.
