Prosecutors have charged Hinton with aggravated murder, murder, and felonious assault, alleging he intentionally drove his Ford Focus into Deputy Larry Henderson on May 2, 2025. The crash occurred just hours after Hinton viewed body camera footage showing Cincinnati Police fatally shooting his son, Ryan Hinton, at the department’s investigative facility in Queensgate.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers heard testimony from a court-appointed forensic psychologist. Two additional expert witnesses are expected to testify at the next court session, scheduled for Jan. 6. A ruling is not expected before that date. NewsForce has reached out to Hinton’s defense attorney for comment.
What Happened
Ryan Hinton, 18, was shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer on May 1, 2025. Police say he was among four people fleeing a stolen car at an apartment complex in Price Hill when the encounter occurred.
According to the Cincinnati Police Department, Hinton aimed a gun at one of the officers. The officer’s name has not been released under Marsy’s Law protections.
The body camera footage is blurry, but it shows Hinton stumbling, falling, and then running between two dumpsters before an officer fires within seconds of Hinton reappearing. Investigators say a handgun was recovered at the scene. Police confirm Hinton was hit once in the chest and once through the arm and side. Officers rendered aid, but he did not survive.
In June, Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich announced that her office determined the shooting was justified and that the officer involved would not face charges. At a press conference, Pillich shared the body camera footage and photos from Hinton’s phone showing him holding a distinct beige-colored handgun.
“When Ryan Hinton was confronted by officers about a stolen car, he not only had a firearm with a full magazine and one round chambered, but he pointed it at Officer A,” Pillich said at the time.
Following that announcement, Hinton’s family publicly criticized the decision. They had launched an independent investigation into Ryan’s death a month earlier.
“We all saw Ryan running,” said his cousin, Marlyn Howard. “How can you call someone running away a threat?”
In June, the family said they planned to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Their attorney, Fanon Rucker, told NewsForce that progress has been slowed by ongoing legal issues in Rodney Hinton’s criminal case, which could affect access to key information relevant to the lawsuit.