An attorney for the man accused of intentionally driving into a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy told jurors that the man was trying to kill himself when he “recklessly” killed the deputy.
In closing arguments Oct. 20 in the trial of Rodney Hinton Jr., defense attorney Clyde Bennett II said the May 2, 2025 crash that killed Deputy Larry Henderson was a suicide attempt – something Bennett did not bring up during opening statements.
Bennett was asking the jury to find Hinton guilty of reckless homicide, a lesser charge that was added during the trial. Hinton, he said, was trying to drive into the utility pole Henderson was standing near.
During deliberations, jurors will first decide whether Hinton is guilty of any charges. If they determine guilt,
then they will have to determine whether he is not guilty by reason of insanity.
Bennett said the evidence showed that Hinton, who is mentally ill, didn’t understand the wrongfulness of his conduct at the time of the crash because he was experiencing “acute psychotic symptoms.”
Prosecutors said Bennett’s claims do not fit the evidence that was presented during the two-week trial in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.
Hinton’s own words and actions showed that his thinking was based in reality, according to prosecutors, who are seeking guilty verdicts on charges including aggravated murder.
Assistant Prosecutor Kip Guinan said Hinton told a psychologist who evaluated him for the insanity plea that after he saw Henderson – who was working traffic control that afternoon – Hinton drove his car “in that direction and hit” the deputy.
“Nothing about a pole, nothing about suicide,” Guinan said.
A day before the crash, Hinton’s 18-year-old son Ryan was fatally shot by a police officer – which left Hinton emotionally distraught. Hours before the crash, police showed him body camera video of the shooting.
The psychologist asked Hinton if he was angry at police, and he responded, saying, “Not him particularly.”
Guinan said that statement gives insight into Hinton’s mind at the time.
“He was angry at police,” Guinan told jurors. “His own words.”
According to a crash reconstruction expert’s testimony, Hinton drove the car in the direction of Henderson, accelerating to about 45 mph.
When Henderson tried to move away, Guinan said, Hinton steered the car “into him, to accomplish his goal.”
Damage to the car showed the center of the car struck Henderson and the front right side struck the pole. The collision happened almost simultaneously.
Closing arguments took up most of the day Oct. 20. The jury of seven women and five men are scheduled to begin deliberations at 9 a.m. on Oct. 21.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Prosecutors say man's own words show he tried to kill deputy
