Thursday marks the first full day of testimony in the murder trial of Rodney Hinton Jr., who prosecutors say deliberately hit and killed Hamilton County Deputy Larry Henderson with his car in May 2025.
Prosecution’s case
The prosecution argues that Hinton acted with intent, citing a body‑camera video the defendant allegedly watched showing Cincinnati police shooting and killing his son, Ryan. They contend the crash was a revenge act, not an accident.
Defense’s argument
Hinton’s defense team counters that the incident was the result of a psychotic break that began years before the crash. They will present mental‑health experts who say Hinton suffered from a serious mental illness and should not be held criminally responsible.
What’s at stake
The jury will ultimately decide whether Hinton’s actions were premeditated murder or the product of a mental‑health crisis. The trial is expected to run up to three weeks, with daily testimony beginning at 9 a.m.
Community response
Local residents and law‑enforcement officials have been closely following the case, given Deputy Henderson’s long service to the community. The trial’s outcome could have implications for how mental‑health defenses are evaluated in violent crimes within Hamilton County.
Next steps
WLWT’s Karin Johnson will continue providing live updates from the courtroom. As the trial proceeds, both sides are expected to call additional witnesses, including more mental‑health professionals and character witnesses for the deputy’s family.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
