CINCINNATI — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed on behalf of a man charged with the murder of a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy, ruling that the plaintiff did not have the authority to represent him. The case, brought by Antoinette Holloway, who lacks legal credentials, aimed to challenge alleged violations of constitutional rights and the use of excessive force by law enforcement during the events surrounding the deputy’s death.
Rodney Hinton Jr. is accused of intentionally colliding with Deputy Larry Henderson, who was managing traffic at a University of Cincinnati graduation ceremony. This incident occurred on May 2, just days before the lawsuit was filed on May 8, seeking damages for what Holloway described as systemic failures by state and county officials.
U.S. District Judge Matthew McFarland dismissed the case on September 9 after receiving a recommendation from a federal magistrate, which emphasized that Holloway could not legally act on Hinton’s behalf due to her status as a non-attorney. The suit named several defendants, including Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, and the Cincinnati Police Department.
In her complaint, Holloway alleged multiple infractions, including unlawful detention and discriminatory treatment. She also contended that Hinton experienced ongoing harm following the events that led to the tragic loss of his son, Ryan, who was killed by a Cincinnati police officer hours before Hinton’s alleged attack on Deputy Henderson.
Hinton’s legal counsel has indicated that they will mount an insanity defense, arguing that Hinton was not in a sound mental state at the time of the incident. Prosecutors are considering seeking the death penalty based on the severity of the charges against him.
The case has drawn attention in the Cincinnati area, as it raises questions regarding the actions of law enforcement leading up to the deputy’s death and the circumstances surrounding Hinton’s alleged behavior. As the legal proceedings continue, further developments are expected in both the murder case and any potential appeals related to the dismissed lawsuit.