Grieving Father, Visibly Injured, Sues for $25M Over Intimidating Courtroom Ordeal and Unlawful Detention
On a crisp May morning in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rodney Hinton Jr., a 38-year-old father grappling with unimaginable grief, stood shackled in an orange jumpsuit before a Hamilton County courtroom. His forehead bore visible lacerations, and his demeanor, described by some as defiant, masked a deeper turmoil. Just days earlier, on May 1, 2025, Cincinnati police fatally shot his 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton, during a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle. The next day, Hinton allegedly drove his car into Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Henderson, killing the retired officer who was directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati. Now, Hinton faces aggravated murder charges that could carry the death penalty. But it is the treatment he endured in custody and during his court appearances that has sparked a $25 million federal lawsuit, filed on his behalf, alleging egregious violations of his civil rights.
The lawsuit, initiated by Hinton’s “next friend” Antionette Holloway, paints a harrowing picture of his detention. It contends that Hinton was subjected to excessive force, resulting in the visible injuries he displayed during his May 3 arraignment. Unlike most defendants, who typically appear in their own clothing for such hearings, Hinton was dressed in jail attire, a move the lawsuit argues was designed to signal his guilt to the court and public before any conviction. The presence of dozens of uniformed deputies lining the courtroom and packing the gallery during his arraignment and subsequent bond hearing on May 6 further amplified an atmosphere of intimidation. The lawsuit describes this as a deliberate attempt to “suppress defense and influence the judicial process,” violating Hinton’s constitutional protections under the 13th and 14th Amendments.
Hinton’s legal battle unfolds against a backdrop of profound personal loss and mental anguish. On the morning of May 2, he and his family viewed body camera footage of Ryan’s fatal shooting at a Cincinnati police station. According to court testimony, Hinton was visibly agitated, so much so that his family urged him not to drive. Yet, hours later, he returned to retrieve his car and drove to the University of Cincinnati campus, where prosecutors allege he intentionally struck Deputy Henderson. Hinton’s attorney, Clyde Bennett II, has signaled an insanity defense, arguing that his client was “not in his right mind” and that the incident reflects “classic mental illness.” Bennett has requested a competency evaluation, emphasizing Hinton’s lack of prior felony convictions and his deep community ties.
The lawsuit also challenges the conditions of Hinton’s detention, asserting that he has been held without a meaningful bond hearing. Hamilton County Municipal Judge Tyrone Yates ordered Hinton detained without bond, citing public safety concerns and the gravity of the charges. Housed in Clermont County Jail to mitigate risks tied to his case’s high profile, Hinton’s treatment has drawn scrutiny. Body camera footage released by Clermont County shows him, still in a hospital gown, struggling to stand as he was transferred from medical care to custody, raising questions about the extent of his injuries and the care he received.
Public reaction to Hinton’s case has been polarized. Supporters argue that his actions, while tragic, stem from a father’s unraveling in the face of his son’s death, compounded by alleged police mistreatment. Critics, including law enforcement organizations, view his actions as a calculated attack on an officer, pointing to the absence of skid marks at the crash scene as evidence of intent. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and Cincinnati Police Department have declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing ongoing litigation.
As Hinton awaits a grand jury’s decision and a trial that could span months, his case underscores broader tensions over police conduct, mental health, and judicial fairness. The $25 million lawsuit seeks not only damages but also a declaration that Hinton’s rights were violated, demanding either his release or an end to his detention without due process. For now, a grieving father remains at the center of a legal and moral firestorm, his fate intertwined with questions of justice and accountability in a community still reeling from loss.
