In connection to the shooting death of a sheriff's deputy following a court disturbance, Rodney Hinton Jr., whose own son was previously murdered by police, has been denied bond for the alleged killing.
Rewritten Article:
Rodney Hinton Jr., who authorities claim recklessly ran over an Ohio sheriff's deputy with a car, will stay behind bars without bail as he awaits trial for the painful murder charge.
A judge in Cincinnati refused bail for Hinton Jr. at a Tuesday hearing. He is being held accountable for the cold-blooded killing of Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Henderson on May 2nd, according to the charges.
Judge Tyrone Yates declared, "There will be an order of remand without bail. Assure the defendant's safety and any mental health treatment if necessary."
The hearing added another twist to a dire circumstance that spiraled last week when Cincinnati police took the life of Hinton Jr.'s son. Police alleged that the 18-year-old Ryan Hinton was one of four men who escaped after being found in a stolen vehicle, and that he was armed when he fled.
A somber scene unfolds as the lifeless body of an Ohio sheriff's deputy who was ruthlessly struck by a car is transported to the University of Cincinnati's medical center on May 2, 2025. [What we know about the killings of a Cincinnati deputy and an 18-year-old who was shot by police]
Hinton Jr.'s defense attorney, Clyde Bennett II, lodged a not guilty plea for his client and appealed for bail. In Tuesday's court session, Bennett asked the court to refrain from labeling Hinton Jr. as a "cop-killer" and instead regard him as a mentally ill individual in need of care.
As the case started, a scuffle broke out in the gallery, forcing Hinton Jr. out of the courtroom. A man yelled, "I just want my brother to see me." Upon regaining order, the hearing resumed, and Hinton Jr. returned to the courtroom. Bennett clarified that the man involved in the disturbance was not Hinton Jr.'s brother.
Assistant prosecutor Ryan Nelson appealed for the judge to deny bail, citing testimony from a Cincinnati police officer who reported that Hinton Jr. had viewed body-camera footage of his son's shooting on the day of the incident and later rammed his car into Deputy Henderson.
The Cincinnati Police Department maintains that Ryan Hinton pointed a gun at an officer while fleeing, but the footage does not clearly capture the critical moment. Officer Carl Beebe confirmed that Hinton Jr. left the police building parking lot, returned briefly, and drove away after watching the video. Michael Wright, a family lawyer, told the Cincinnati Enquirer that Hinton Jr. was visibly distraught following the footage.
Officer Beebe also described the fatal collision: "Witnesses and video evidence indicate that the car sped up, illegally switched lanes, and directly aimed at where Deputy Henderson was positioned, resulting in a deadly crash." There was no indication of Hinton Jr. attempting to slow down, according to Beebe's account.
"From our investigation and witness testimonies, we believe that Hinton Jr. intentionally left our office, locating Deputy Henderson and deliberately driving at him to kill him," Beebe added.
On cross-examination by Bennett, Beebe noted that Hinton Jr.'s agitation appeared to stem from watching the body-camera footage.
Nelson argued that Hinton Jr.'s current mental state is a "muddled mental health conundrum," potentially posing a severe risk of harm to both law enforcement officers and the general public.
While Bennett brought up Hinton Jr.'s lack of prior felony convictions and local ties, the judge decided to keep him in custody without bail.
"I struggle to conceive how any decision based on their statements could protect the public and the defendant under these circumstances," the judge declared.
Hinton Jr.'s next court date is scheduled for May 12th.
Meanwhile, Hinton's family seeks answers in Ryan Hinton's death.
In a press conference on Monday, lawyer Michael Wright announced that a public records request has been submitted on behalf of the family, seeking access to the body-camera footage and police reports involving other officers that were present when Ryan Hinton was shot.
"We will meticulously analyze every frame of all the recordings to determine why the officer decided to use lethal force against Ryan," Wright declared.
- Rodney Hinton Jr., who was charged with murder for allegedly running over an Ohio sheriff's deputy with a car, was denied bail by a judge in Cincinnati.
- Assistant prosecutor Ryan Nelson argued that Hinton's current mental state poses a substantial risk of harm to law enforcement officers and the general public, citing his actions after viewing body-camera footage of his son's shooting.
- In Cincinnati, politics and crime-and-justice intertwine as Hinton's defense attorney, Clyde Bennett II, appealed for bail and asked the court to view Hinton Jr. as a mentally ill individual in need of care, rather than a cop-killer.
- The remand of Hinton Jr. without bail was ordered by Judge Tyrone Yates, who stated that it was necessary to ensure Hinton's safety and any mental health treatment if needed.
