Witnesses testified in Cincinnati, Ohio, describing a vehicle striking Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Henderson Jr. without braking during the murder trial of Rodney Hinton Jr. The proceedings on October 8, 2026, focused heavily on the events of May 2, 2025, near Burnet Woods, the ensuing emergency response, and Hinton’s mental state following the fatal police shooting of his 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton.
According to testimony presented by local media outlets including WCPO, FOX19, and Local 12, Henderson was directing traffic during University of Cincinnati graduation activities when the collision occurred. Prosecutors maintain that Hinton intentionally steered his vehicle into the deputy. Conversely, defense attorneys argue that severe mental illness and intense grief left Hinton incapable of understanding the wrongfulness of his actions.
Hinton, 40, faces two counts of aggravated murder, one count of murder, and two counts of felonious assault. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and the trial is projected to last approximately three weeks before Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers.
Eyewitness Accounts and Emergency Response
During the fourth day of testimony, multiple motorists and bystanders recounted seeing a car accelerate rapidly through heavy traffic prior to the impact. Kevin Broermann testified that he was stopped near Burnet Woods Drive when a car sped past him in the left-turn lane and hit the deputy without any visible or audible signs of braking, such as screeching tires.
Other witnesses, including University of Cincinnati grounds equipment operator Derek Moore, stated that the vehicle appeared to accelerate at full throttle straight toward the intersection. Emergency responders also took the stand to describe the immediate aftermath. Cincinnati Police Officer Kyle Cole became emotional while recalling his attempts to perform CPR on Henderson, and body camera footage documenting the emergency response was played for the 12-person jury.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Large and retired police officer Robert Nelson also testified, noting that Henderson was wearing a bright yellow reflective vest and a standard uniform while working the traffic detail.
Mental Health, Grief, and Legal Arguments
The core dispute centers on Hinton’s mental health status at the time of the crash. Defense attorney Clyde Bennett II argued during opening statements that Hinton suffered from long-standing psychosis, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, compounded by severe childhood trauma and the overwhelming shock of viewing police body camera footage of his son’s death just hours before the incident.
“If you follow the law, and you listen to the serious mental illnesses that Mr. Hinton had, and the extreme stress he went through, there is only one verdict… not guilty by reason of insanity,” Bennett told the court.
Family members testified regarding Hinton’s fragile emotional state after viewing the footage at Cincinnati police headquarters on Linn Street earlier that day. His cousin, Monique Gilliam, expressed fear that Hinton might harm himself, stating that he appeared completely devastated and disconnected from reality.
Prosecutors countered that Hinton’s actions were deliberate and calculated. Assistant Prosecutor Heidi Rosales argued that while Hinton received post-crash mental health diagnoses, emotional distress and clinical illness do not automatically meet Ohio’s legal standard for insanity. The state contends that Hinton targeted Henderson simply because he was the first visible and accessible law enforcement officer he encountered.
Expert Evaluations and Trial Outlook
Three psychologists evaluated Hinton prior to the trial. Two evaluators-one appointed by the court and another retained by the prosecution-concluded that Hinton did not meet the legal threshold for insanity. A third psychologist, hired by the defense, reached the opposite conclusion.
Because prosecutors are barred from seeking the death penalty in this case, a conviction on the primary charges carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The trial continues with additional witness testimony and evidence presentations in Cincinnati.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does Rodney Hinton Jr. face?
Rodney Hinton Jr. faces two counts of aggravated murder, one count of murder, and two counts of felonious assault in connection with the death of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Henderson Jr.
What is the defense’s argument in the trial?
The defense argues that Hinton is not guilty by reason of insanity, citing a history of severe mental illness, unmedicated psychosis, and extreme emotional distress triggered by watching police footage of his son’s fatal shooting hours earlier.
What position did Deputy Larry Henderson hold at the time of the crash?
Deputy Larry Henderson had officially retired at the end of 2024 but continued working special patrol assignments for extra income, which included directing traffic during University of Cincinnati graduation activities on May 2, 2025.
Are prosecutors seeking the death penalty?
No. Hamilton County prosecutors announced that they are barred from seeking the death penalty, but they are pursuing the maximum alternate sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
How long is the trial expected to last?
Legal proceedings and testimony before Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers are expected to last approximately three weeks.
