Officials in Ohio say Rodney Hinton Jr “purposely” and fatally hit a sheriff’s deputy with his vehicle just one day after his minor son was shot and killed by police. Rodney Hinton Jr. now faces charges of aggravated murder. The sheriff’s deputy was struck on Friday while directing traffic not far from the University of Cincinnati. Hinton’s son, Ryan Hinton, 18, was shot and killed by a police officer on Thursday.
Rodney Hinton Jr. Appears In Court
On Saturday, Hinton appeared in court; he faced a courtroom packed with sheriff’s deputies supporting the fallen officer. Prosecuting attorney Ryan Nelson said that Rodney Hinton Jr.’s actions with his vehicle were “calculated and premeditated. He lined up his car, deliberately accelerated his car, and purposely caused the death of an on-duty deputy sheriff,” he added.
Hinton Has No Prior Felonies
Rodney Hinton Jr.’s attorney said that his client faced a “very serious, very terrible charge” but added that his client had no felonies on his record. ” I understand that this is an emotionally charged situation. I understand that there is a lot of sadness and a lot of anger in this room right now and in the community at large,” the attorney said.
Held Without Bond
The judge ruled that Hinton Jr. would be held without bond in the Clermont County jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 6. Hinton’s family released a statement through an attorney on Saturday. The statement said that the attorney had been hired by the family to investigate the death of Ryan Hinton. It added that on Friday, the family, including Rodney Hinton Jr,. met with Cincinnati police to view body camera footage of his shooting death.
Family Viewed Footage Of Death
“Ryan Hinton’s family, including Ryan’s father, was present at the meeting, and they were understandably distraught as they watched the bodycam video,” the statement said. “After the meeting with the police department, Ryan Hinton’s father left in his vehicle, and that was the last we heard from him until learning about the tragic incident involving a law enforcement officer who was working a traffic detail near the University of Cincinnati.”
The Hinton family is being represented by attorneys Michael Wright, Shean Williams, and Robert Gresham of The Cochran Firm, and Anthony Pierson of Pierson and Pierson, LLC. The statement went on to say, “This is an unimaginable tragedy for this community. Ryan Hinton’s family is heartbroken by this tragic turn of events, and we are all devastated for the family of the officer who was killed.”
Name Of Deputy Being Withheld
The name of the deputy that was killed has not been released; police did share that he had recently retired and was still serving with the department in a special capacity. Amid both deaths being investigated, police officers lined up Friday night to hold a procession for the fallen coworker, whose identity is protected by an Ohio law protecting the privacy of his family.
