Man Convicted of Murder in Fatal Deputy Attack After Son’s Death

WHO:

CNN - Rodney Hinton Jr. was convicted of murder, reckless homicide and felonious assault in the death of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Ray Henderson Jr.

CNN - Henderson had worked for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for decades. He had retired a few months before the crash but continued working off-duty assignments.

CNN - Hinton’s attorney, Clyde Bennett II, said he would appeal the conviction.

CNN - Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said the verdict provided some closure and justice for Henderson.

CNN - Hinton’s 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton, was fatally shot by a Cincinnati police officer.

WLWT - The jury found Hinton guilty of murder, two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of felonious assault.

WLWT - Hinton’s lead defense attorney, Clyde Bennett, said, “the fight is not over,” and said the defense planned to appeal.

WLWT - McGuffey said, “We want justice, and today we have justice for Larry.”

WLWT - Trial attorney Jay Clark, who was not involved in the case, commented on evidence and jury deliberations.

WHAT:

CNN - The jury convicted Hinton in connection with the fatal crash in which he struck Henderson with his car while the deputy was directing traffic for a college graduation.

CNN - Hinton pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. He was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and other mental illnesses.

CNN - Hinton faced 15 years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole, on the murder conviction.

WLWT - Reckless homicide was considered as a lesser charge to the aggravated murder charges Hinton faced.

WLWT - Bennett said he was disappointed and did not consider the verdict a victory: “I wanted him to be found not guilty of each and every charge.”

WLWT - Jurors did not hear a recorded police interrogation of Hinton or see body-camera footage of law enforcement’s initial contact with him after the crash. They heard three psychologists recount statements Hinton made during evaluations.

WLWT - Hinton did not testify. The article states that he had no obligation to do so and that jurors could not consider his decision against him.

WLWT - Psychologists agreed Hinton had a serious mental illness but disagreed on whether it prevented him from understanding that his actions were wrong. The defense expert said he did not know right from wrong; state rebuttal witnesses said he knew his actions were wrong.

WLWT - Ohio law classifies reckless homicide as a third-degree felony punishable by nine to 36 months in prison; a judge determines the sentence, and Hinton generally receives credit for time served.

WHERE:

CNN - The crash and Ryan Hinton’s fatal shooting were in Cincinnati, Ohio.

CNN - Henderson was working a traffic assignment for a college graduation.

WHEN:

CNN - The crash occurred in May 2025, hours after Hinton and relatives watched police body-camera footage of Ryan Hinton’s fatal shooting.

CNN - The crash happened the day after Ryan Hinton was killed.

CNN - Sentencing was scheduled for November 16.

WLWT - The trial lasted just under two weeks; opening statements began October 7, and deliberations began October 20.

WLWT - The jury reached its verdict after entering the third day of deliberations.

WLWT - Hinton was to be sentenced on Nov. 16 at 9 a.m.

WHY:

CNN - The case centered on Hinton’s mental state. The defense argued he was trying to kill himself during a psychotic episode; prosecutors argued that, despite grieving, he chose to aim his car at Henderson and understood right from wrong.

CNN - Ryan Hinton was shot twice during a chase. The officer said the suspect pointed a gun at him. Prosecutor Connie Pillich said the officer’s use of force was “legally justified”; she also said Hinton had a fully loaded gun and pointed it at officers.

HOW:

WLWT - Jurors received instructions covering the charges, insanity defense, burdens of proof and deliberation rules. Clark said, “The instructions are the law.”

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 01:28 UTC)

Rodney Hinton Jr. has been convicted of murder and other charges in the fatal crash that killed Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Ray Henderson Jr. A jury found Hinton guilty of murder, two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of felonious assault after he struck Henderson with his car as the deputy directed traffic at a college graduation. Henderson had served for decades with the sheriff’s office and continued off-duty work after retiring. The case focused on whether Hinton’s mental illness prevented him from understanding his actions were wrong. Hinton’s defense argued he was suicidal and experiencing a psychotic episode; prosecutors said he knowingly aimed his car at Henderson. His attorney, Clyde Bennett II, said the defense would appeal. Hinton faces 15 years to life on the murder conviction. Sentencing is scheduled for November 16.