Prosecution no longer pursuing death penalty for man charged in deputy’s killing
By Fletcher Keel
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HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio (WLWT) — Prosecutors are no longer pursuing the death penalty for the man accused of intentionally hitting and killing a Hamilton County deputy with his car.
Rodney Hinton Jr. faces charges, including aggravated murder, after investigators say he ran Dept. Henderson down with his car as he directed traffic outside of the University of Cincinnati’s graduation last May. It came just hours after he watched body camera video of Cincinnati police shooting and killing his son, Ryan, as part of a stolen car investigation.
Hinton was in court where prosecutors agreed with his claim of having a serious mental illness, following three separate mental evaluations. This agreement does not mean he is not guilty of the crime, and the trial is still scheduled. The defense will need to show Hinton did not know what he was doing at the time of the crime.
Deputy Henderson’s widow was in the courtroom Monday.
Despite the agreement between the prosecution and the defense, Judge Jodie Lubbers will make the final ruling, which is expected on Jan. 14.
Hinton is also expected to make a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity that date.
The prosecutor’s office put out a statement following the hearing.
“Mr. Hinton deliberately killed an innocent man,” said Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich. “Although the law prevents seeking the death penalty, my office will pursue the harshest sentence available, life without the possibility of parole, to make certain he never returns to our community.”
Separately, Hinton is accused of assaulting a corrections officer at the Clermont County Jail, where he is being held ahead of his murder trial, which is set to begin in April.
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