Insanity Plea Considered in Deputy Henderson Killing

Rodney Hinton Jr., the individual accused of fatally striking Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Deputy Larry Henderson, recently appeared in court for a crucial mental state evaluation. His legal team is pursuing a change in plea, aiming to establish a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity. This development follows the tragic events where Hinton Jr. allegedly killed Deputy Henderson just a day after his own son was fatally shot by police.

During the proceedings, a court-appointed forensic psychologist, Jennifer O'Donnell, presented findings indicating that Hinton Jr. suffers from bipolar disorder. O'Donnell stated that this condition significantly impacted his judgment at the time of the incident, a factor legally relevant in Ohio for capital offense considerations. The psychologist also noted that Hinton Jr. was overwhelmed with emotion and deeply depressed following his son's death.

Judge Jody Leubbers has deferred a decision pending testimony from two additional experts, one appointed by the defense and another by the prosecution. These testimonies will further inform the court's understanding of Hinton Jr.'s mental state. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on January 5, 2026, to address these critical issues.