An update is anticipated on Wednesday regarding the criminal proceedings against the individual charged with the murder of a Hamilton County deputy sheriff.
We may learn the results of Rodney Hinton Jr.’s mental assessment conducted by a court-appointed physician.
Hinton, aged 38, faces the possibility of a death sentence if found guilty of aggravated murder, murder, and felonious assault in connection with the May 2 killing of Deputy Larry Henderson, who was 57 years old.
In a tragic event that shocked the Tri-State area and garnered international attention, Deputy Henderson lost his life while performing traffic control duties during the University of Cincinnati’s graduation ceremony.
Prosecutors are pursuing the maximum sentence for Hinton, asserting that he intentionally drove a vehicle into the veteran law enforcement officer, who was also a U.S. Marine, husband, father, grandfather, and foster parent.
Conversely, Hinton’s defense attorney, Clyde Bennett II, is advocating for an insanity defense, arguing that Hinton was not in a sound state of mind at the time of the incident.
Hinton had just witnessed body camera footage of his 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton, being fatally shot by a Cincinnati police officer the day before, on Thursday, May 1.
Ryan Hinton had fled from police during an investigation involving a stolen vehicle. He was reportedly armed with a Glock .40 caliber handgun, a fully loaded extended magazine, and a bullet in the chamber when he aimed the weapon at the officer, as stated by Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich.
The officer “made a split-second decision that likely saved his life and the lives of other officers,” she remarked when she confirmed that the officer was “legally justified in his use of force.”
Hinton Jr. is currently receiving mental health treatment while being held without bond at the Clermont County Jail.
He recently revealed in court that he is taking Lexapro, an antidepressant prescribed for the treatment of depression and anxiety.
Should it be established that Hinton was suffering from a severe mental illness at the time he killed Deputy Henderson, the imposition of the death penalty as a potential sentence is prohibited under Ohio law.
