CINCINNATI, OH — An Ohio man was found guilty on Friday of murdering a Hamilton County special deputy by striking him with a car hours after seeing video of his son being shot by Cincinnati police. Rodney L. Hinton, 40, now faces a prison sentence of 15 years to life after jurors convicted him on murder, reckless homicide and felonious assault charges.

The verdict came after a 10-day trial in which defense lawyers argued that Hinton was so overwhelmed by grief that he could not tell right from wrong when Deputy Larry Henderson was killed. Jurors began deliberating on Wednesday before rejecting that argument and returning guilty verdicts.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said the killing shattered a family and left a community mourning the loss of a deputy who spent 33 years in law enforcement. Henderson’s sentencing is tentatively scheduled for November 16.

Jurors reject insanity defense after 10-day trial

Defense attorney Clyde Bennett II asked jurors to find Hinton not guilty by reason of insanity. The defense centered on Hinton’s emotional state after learning how his son died and viewing police footage from the shooting. After deliberating, the jury did not accept that explanation.

Hinton was convicted of murder, reckless homicide and felonious assault in Henderson’s death. The guilty verdict means he could spend the rest of his life in prison, depending on the sentence imposed in November.

Bennett told reporters after the verdict that the fight was not over and said Hinton planned to appeal. That leaves the case headed into the next phase even as jurors have already decided the main question of guilt.

How Cincinnati police shooting footage entered the case

The events that led to Henderson’s death began a day earlier, when Cincinnati police fatally shot Hinton’s 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton. Officers had responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at an apartment complex and tried to detain four people, including Ryan Hinton, police said.

According to police, the people in the car ran and Ryan Hinton was armed. The body-camera footage, later published by NBC News, showed an officer getting out of a vehicle and aiming his gun at Ryan Hinton as he appeared to run away. Another recording captured an officer saying, “He’s got a gun!”

The officer fired about four times. It is unclear from the footage whether Ryan Hinton aimed a gun at officers, although police said a firearm was recovered at the scene.

Prosecutors said Hinton aimed his car at Deputy Larry Henderson

Hours after viewing the footage with family members and attorneys, Rodney Hinton left in his own vehicle, according to Cincinnati police. Authorities said he then drove toward Henderson and struck him.

Officials said Henderson saw the car coming but could not get out of the way. Prosecutors argued that Hinton intentionally “tracked” the deputy and steered toward him.

Assistant prosecutor Kate Burroughs told jurors in closing arguments that Hinton turned his wheel in the same direction Henderson moved, sending the deputy into the air before he landed on the ground. The state presented the crash as a deliberate attack rather than an accident.

Deputy Henderson remembered as a longtime public servant

Henderson had spent 33 years on the job, according to Wilson’s statement, and his death drew condolences from state leaders as well as law enforcement supporters. Wilson described him as a dedicated public servant whose killing left a painful gap in the community.

In his statement, Wilson said the verdict accurately reflected the evidence presented at trial. He also said Henderson’s death was a reminder of the risks officers face every day while working to keep the public safe.

The case has drawn attention because it links two separate but devastating events: the police killing of Ryan Hinton and the later death of Deputy Henderson. For jurors, however, the question was whether Rodney Hinton was criminally responsible for what happened next.

Sentencing set for November as appeal looms

Hinton is scheduled to be sentenced tentatively on November 16. Under Ohio law, the murder conviction carries a possible sentence ranging from 15 years to life, making the hearing the next major step in the case.

Even after the verdict, the legal fight is likely to continue. Bennett said his client intends to appeal, keeping open the possibility of further court review.

The case leaves Cincinnati with two separate deaths under intense scrutiny and a criminal conviction tied to a moment of grief that prosecutors said turned into violence. The sentence will determine how long Hinton remains behind bars.