Judge Hears Bipolar Diagnosis as Hinton Seeks Insanity Plea in Deputy’s Death
A court-appointed psychologist testified Hinton has bipolar disorder, a determination that could take the death penalty off the table.
Overview
- Dr. Jenny O’Donnell, appointed by the court, told Judge Jody Leubbers that Hinton has a serious mental illness and that his judgment was significantly impaired.
- The judge will hear from prosecution and defense psychologists on January 5 before ruling on Hinton’s mental state and whether capital punishment remains an option.
- Defense attorney Clyde Bennett has moved to change Hinton’s plea to not guilty by reason of insanity based on the claimed impact of mental illness at the time.
- Investigators say the deputy was struck hours after Hinton viewed body-camera video of Cincinnati police fatally shooting his son during a stolen-car investigation.
- A jury trial remains scheduled for April 2026, and Deputy Larry Henderson’s widow attended Wednesday’s hearing.