Cincinnati, OH – The widow of Larry Henderson, a retired Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy, is suing the family of Rodney Hinton Jr., the man accused of murdering her husband, over fundraising efforts that raised over $100,000. The family reportedly used online platforms, including GoFundMe and GiveSendGo, to collect money for legal fees and other expenses.
The Murder of Deputy Larry Henderson
On May 2, Rodney Hinton Jr., 38, allegedly drove into Deputy Larry Henderson, 57, while Henderson was directing traffic for the University of Cincinnati’s commencement ceremonies. The day before, Hinton’s son, Ryan Hinton, was fatally shot by a Cincinnati police officer. Hinton is now facing murder charges for the attack on Henderson and is currently being held at the Clermont County Jail.
Fundraising for Legal Fees
Following the incident, Hinton’s family used crowdfunding platforms to raise money, claiming the funds would be used for legal bills and other family-related expenses. However, these fundraisers quickly drew backlash from Ohio officials and police organizations, which successfully called for the removal of the campaigns. GoFundMe took down the fundraisers, and a fundraiser on GiveSendGo was also unpublished.
Widow Files Lawsuit
On July 14, Henderson’s widow filed a lawsuit accusing Hinton’s family of exploiting the situation for financial gain. The suit claims that Hinton’s family capitalized on his “public status and notoriety” gained solely through his criminal act of killing Henderson. The lawsuit labels the actions as a “malicious civil conspiracy” and seeks to stop the family from profiting from the funds raised.
The suit also names Rodney Hinton as responsible for the wrongful death of Deputy Henderson, citing his “deliberate, intentional, and malicious acts.” The widow is asking for compensatory and punitive damages and requests that any funds raised by Hinton’s family be turned over to her.
Legal Implications: Son of Sam Law
The lawsuit references the “Son of Sam” law, a legal provision that prevents criminals from profiting from their crimes, such as selling their story for a book, TV show, or movie. However, as Ohio law does not explicitly cover crowdfunding, the situation presents a unique legal challenge.
The Son of Sam law is named after David Berkowitz, a notorious serial killer who sold the rights to his life story while in prison. While the law aims to prevent criminals from financially benefiting from their actions, crowdfunding has created a gray area that is now being addressed in this case.
Hinton’s Defense
Hinton’s defense attorney argues that his client was in a psychotic state after viewing the footage of his son’s shooting by a Cincinnati police officer. The lawyer claims that this altered mental state led Hinton to attack Deputy Henderson. However, the details of this defense are still being examined, as the lawsuit seeks justice for Henderson’s tragic death.
The Growing Controversy
The controversy surrounding the fundraising efforts has highlighted the complex intersection between criminal justice, fundraising platforms, and the public’s ability to financially support individuals involved in criminal cases. While some argue that it is inappropriate for the suspect’s family to profit from their connection to the crime, others contend that legal and personal expenses should be supported in such cases.
