An Ohio man accused of killing a special deputy sheriff by intentionally running him over with a car is seeking to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, NBC affiliate WLWT of Cincinnati reported Wednesday.
Rodney Hinton, who initially pleaded not guilty to mowing down Hamilton County Special Deputy Larry Henderson on May 2, has bipolar disorder, Dr. Jenny O’Donnell, a forensic psychologist appointed by the court, testified.
Hinton’s mental illness significantly affected his decision-making on the day Henderson died, his lawyer, Clyde Bennett II, said at the hearing.
Just hours before the deputy was killed, Hinton became distraught after watching body camera video of his son, Ryan Hinton, 18, being fatally shot by a Cincinnati police officer the previous day, Bennett said.
That, combined with Hinton's mental illness, impaired his rational judgment and his new plea should make him ineligible for the death penalty under Ohio law, Bennett argued.
O’Donnell is one of three psychologists whose testimony Judge Jody Leubbers will consider before she decides whether to accept Hinton's new plea, WLWT reported.
The other psychologists, representing the prosecution and the defense, are expected to testify Jan. 5, according to the affiliate.
Henderson’s widow was present in the courtroom during the hearing, the affiliate reported.
Hinton's trial is scheduled to begin in April.
Henderson, who retired earlier this year, was working part time as a special deputy May 2 and directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati during graduation events when he was struck and later died of his injuries at a local hospital.
Hinton, 38, was charged with two counts of aggravated murder, one count of murder and two counts of felonious assault. He has been treated for depression and anxiety while being held in the Clermont County Jail, his lawyer told the court.
Later, at a bond hearing, a Cincinnati police officer said that shortly before the collision, Hinton had viewed body camera footage of the police shooting his son.
Family members said he was “upset” and “agitated” after viewing the video, and because of their concerns, they drove Hinton from the station.
Hinton later returned to the station to pick up his vehicle and from there he drove toward the university.
Once there, police said, Hinton appeared to stop before he allegedly “accelerated quickly ... through the intersection where deputy Henderson was standing."
Police said there was no indication that Hinton tried to stop and Henderson was “launched several feet through the air” and “came to rest in a turn lane several feet from where the collision occurred.”
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge previously said that there was a definite connection between the collision and the May 1 fatal shooting of Ryan Hinton.
Ryan Hinton was killed by a Cincinnati police officer responding to a report of a stolen vehicle at an apartment complex, Theetge said.
While behind bars, Hinton filed a federal lawsuit for unlawful imprisonment, alleging he was “detained unlawfully, without due process, and without a valid conviction,” as well as conspiracy to deprive rights, intimidation and excessive force, emotional distress, and breach of oath of office.
In September, Hinton's lawsuit was dismissed by a federal judge.
