Ohio Man Denied Bond After Allegedly Running Over Deputy Following Son's Police-Involved Shooting
An emotional courtroom erupted as Rodney L. Hinton, an Ohio father, was denied bond after being charged with fatally striking a sheriff's deputy with his vehicle, just one day after his son was killed in a police-involved shooting.
Hinton, who appeared in court on Tuesday, faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder and vehicular homicide. According to authorities, the incident unfolded in a wave of grief and anger following the death of Hinton's son, Rodney Hinton Jr., who was fatally shot by local law enforcement during what police described as a "routine traffic stop."
Witnesses described the courtroom scene as tense, with family members visibly shaken as the judge ruled to hold Hinton without bond. Prosecutors argued that the nature of the crime, combined with Hinton’s emotional state, posed a significant risk to the community.
Authorities allege that Hinton intentionally drove his vehicle into Deputy Mark Caldwell outside the sheriff’s office earlier this month. Surveillance footage released by the sheriff's department shows a dark SUV accelerating rapidly before striking Caldwell, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Some authorities called the incident "a deliberate act of violence," while community members expressed both shock and empathy for the family's devastating loss. "I don't think he was a cop killer, I think he was not in his right mind and I think he should be treated like any other mentally ill person that commits a crime," said Clyde Bennett, Hinton’s attorney.
According to NBC News, Theresa Larkin, Ryan Hinton's aunt, knew something was different about Rodney Hinton that Friday morning.
"I’ve known Rodney since I was 15 years old. That wasn’t the Rodney that I knew. It was like his soul wasn’t even in his body.”
Hinton is expected to appear in court again next month, where his defense team plans to argue that his actions were the result of extreme emotional distress. Legal experts suggest that prosecutors may pursue enhanced charges given the fatal outcome and the involvement of law enforcement.