Jury selection has begun in the murder trial of Rodney L. Hinton, an Ohio father who allegedly struck and killed a deputy shortly after viewing footage of his son’s death at the hands of police.
The courtroom doors closed behind 107 potential jurors this week. marking the start of a trial that forces Hamilton County to confront a convergence of grief. mental health. and violence. Rodney L. Hinton stands accused of murder. facing charges for the death of special deputy Larry Henderson. who was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati in May 2025.
Judge Jody Luebbers is presiding over a selection process expected to stretch over several days. utilizing a 23-page questionnaire to filter the panel. Already, more than a dozen candidates have been dismissed. For defense attorney Clyde Bennett II. the objective is to secure 12 individuals capable of setting aside the emotional weight of a deputy killed in the line of duty. Bennett acknowledged the task is difficult. aiming for jurors who can prioritize the law despite the nature of the victim’s service.
The incident took place hours after Hinton watched body camera footage of his 18-year-old son. Ryan Hinton. being shot by a Cincinnati police officer. Ryan had been part of a group near an allegedly stolen vehicle at an apartment complex. Police footage showed officers pursuing Ryan, who authorities said was armed. During the confrontation. an officer fired at least four times as Ryan appeared to be running away. with an officer heard yelling that the teen had a gun—a weapon police confirmed was recovered at the scene. Theresa Larkin. Ryan’s aunt. previously described the visceral impact of that footage. noting that watching her nephew drop felt as though her soul had left her body. leaving her to process the unimaginable pain the elder Hinton faced that day.
According to investigators, Hinton became visibly upset and agitated after viewing the video. Family members drove him from the police station initially, but he returned to retrieve his vehicle. Authorities allege that as he left the parking lot. he drove toward the university and accelerated through the intersection where Henderson—who had retired from the Sheriff’s Office only five months prior—was directing traffic. Police state there was no indication that Hinton attempted to brake.
Following the event, the legal trajectory shifted significantly. Hinton was initially indicted on two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of felonious assault, and murder. By December, the defense moved to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity. During that hearing. a court-appointed forensic psychologist confirmed Hinton lives with bipolar disorder. a condition Bennett argues severely impaired his client’s decision-making on the day of the incident. This plea change carries a significant legal consequence: it renders Hinton ineligible for the death penalty under Ohio law.
As the selection process continues, the contrast between the life of a veteran deputy and the desperate state of a father grieving his son defines the proceedings. The court must now determine if these two tragedies can be disentangled under the standard of the law.
Rodney L. Hinton Larry Henderson Hamilton County jury selection Ohio trial police shooting