The man accused of intentionally running down and killing a retired Hamilton County deputy is seeking $25 million in a federal lawsuit, claiming officers violated his civil rights after his arrest.
On May 8, a federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of Rodney Hinton Jr. against the Cincinnati Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, the Hamilton County Justice Center and others involved in his arrest and detention.
The lawsuit, filed on Hinton’s behalf by Antoinette Holloway, claims his “visibly beaten” appearance in court was caused by physical abuse from law enforcement while in custody. The lawsuit also alleges officers created an atmosphere of “fear, surveillance and intimidation” by lining the courtroom during his appearances before the judge.
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Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Rodney Hinton Jr. in Deputy Murder Case
In a show of force and solidarity with their fallen colleague, Hamilton County Deputies lined up directly behind Hinton during his May 3 arraignment hearing. During Hinton’s May 6 bond hearing, deputies packed the gallery.
“Plaintiff was subjected to physical abuse and courtroom intimidation in violation of constitutional protections,” the lawsuit states. “Defendants’ deliberate actions caused plaintiff severe psychological trauma, public humiliation and emotional damage.”
The process of Hinton’s arrest is broadly addressed in the lawsuit, claiming officers “diverged from lawful protocol,” which reflects bias and retaliation against Hinton.
Neither CPD nor the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office have commented on the lawsuit.
Read the lawsuit below:
Background
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Hinton for his role in the death of retired Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Henderson. Investigators say Hinton intentionally struck and killed Henderson on May 2 while the deputy was directing traffic along Martin Luther King Drive and Burnet Woods Drive for UC’s graduation ceremony. Henderson, 57, was rushed to nearby UC Medical Center in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead. Soon after, Cincinnati Police identified the driver of the vehicle as Hinton Jr., 38, father of Ryan Hinton, the 18-year-old who was shot and killed by a Cincinnati Police officer on May 1.
On Thursday, Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich announced Hinton had been indicted on five counts, two of which carry the possibility of the death penalty:
- Aggravated murder (capital death penalty) – two counts
- Murder (special felony)
- Felonious assault – two counts
When asked about the two separate double counts, Pillich referred to provisions in the Ohio Revised Code on offenses carried out against law enforcement officers.
“Both provisions for this type of aggravated murder are directed for instances when the victim is a law enforcement officer and the defendant either knew [or should have known the victim] is a law enforcement officer,” Pillich said. “In one provision of the revised code, the death is happening while the victim is performing his duties. The second provision of Ohio Revised Code that we think these facts fit is that the murder happens because the defendant was looking to kill a police officer.”
Hinton’s attorney, Clyde Bennett, pleaded “not guilty” for his client during last week’s bond hearing. Bennett indicated he will be filing for a mental competency hearing for Hinton in the near future, stressing the relevance of his client’s mindset at the time of the crash.
As of Thursday, Pillich said her office had received no evidence about mental health issues for Hinton.
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This article appears in Apr 30 – May 13, 2025.