CINCINNATI, Ohio — Less than two months before Rodney Hinton’s trial, a Hamilton County judge issued a sharp warning to the defense about potential delays linked to last-minute changes.
Hinton, accused of killing Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Henderson last May, appeared in court Thursday morning. A new adjustment by defense attorney Clyde Bennett — involving a change to his planned expert witness — prompted the judge’s concern.
“I do not — I’ll say it one more time — I do not want to continue this trial,” Judge Jody Luebbers said from the bench.
Bennett told the court he no longer planned to use an expert previously consulted for the defense and needed time to find a replacement. “Yesterday, I communicated with the expert, and my decision was not to utilize that expert,” Bennett said.
When Luebbers asked who the new expert would be, Bennett admitted he wasn’t sure yet. The uncertainty drew frustration from prosecutors.
“This is putting the state in a position where we may not have adequate time to evaluate all those reports unless we move incredibly quickly,” Assistant Prosecutor Kate Burroughs said.
Luebbers agreed the situation was tight but gave the defense one week to name a new expert witness, stressing fairness to both sides and adequate time for the prosecution to prepare. She also pressed Bennett for clarity on Hinton’s plea, noting that a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity “could be a game changer.”
Hinton is accused of intentionally driving into Deputy Henderson in Clifton last May, killing him shortly after Hinton viewed police body camera footage showing officers fatally shooting his son. Prosecutors have said the shooting of Hinton’s son was legally justified.
Two motions remain pending ahead of the trial. The defense has asked to exclude autopsy and crime scene photos of Henderson, while prosecutors are seeking a jury view of the area where the deputy was killed.