Attempted Murder Conviction
Former Ohio Attorney Convicted of Attempted Murder After Restaurant Shooting
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Former attorney Matthew Exton was convicted of attempted murder for pointing a loaded handgun at his ex-wife inside an Ohio restaurant on April 11, 2025. Fox Carolina reported that a Lucas County jury found Exton guilty of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault. A quick-thinking waiter tackled Exton before any shots were fired, preventing what could have been a tragedy in the crowded downtown Toledo establishment.
The 43-year-old former Toledo lawyer now faces up to 25 years in prison. KCRG noted that Exton's law license was suspended by the Ohio Supreme Court in May 2025 following the incident. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21, 2026.
Restaurant Waiter Stops Deadly Attack
On the opening night of Sabira restaurant in downtown Toledo, Exton arrived with a Colt Defender handgun. He pointed the weapon directly at his ex-wife Kayda Valone inside the busy restaurant. Waiter Tracy Cole Jr. immediately tackled Exton before he could fire. Fox34 reported that prosecutors called Cole a hero who "saved at least three lives that day."
Jeanne Valone testified during trial that she was "100-percent sure the three of us were going to die" during the attack. The quick action by restaurant staff prevented bloodshed in the crowded establishment.
Exton Claims Dispute Over Marital Home Proceeds
The shooting attempt stemmed from financial disputes following Exton's divorce. AZ Family reported that Exton testified he was homeless and suffering post-divorce. He testified he pulled out the gun to force his ex-wife to comply with a court order to give him the marital home proceeds immediately.
Exton told the court: "I was hurt." He claimed he never removed the safety or pulled the trigger. Defense attorney Ronnie Wingate argued this showed Exton had no real intent to kill. However, prosecutors rejected this account entirely, characterizing it as a calculated attack.
Prosecution Paints Picture of Premeditated Violence
Assistant Lucas County Prosecutor Rose Mary Mock told jurors that Exton came "not with the intention to have a meal... he came there with malice in his heart and a loaded gun to commit a public assassination." WMTV15 reported that the prosecution emphasized Exton's deliberate planning and dangerous intent.
Prior to the incident, Exton had engaged in threatening behavior, including leaving a voicemail quoting Johnny Cash's lyric: "Sooner or later God will cut you down." During trial on September 4, Exton was removed from the courtroom after repeatedly interrupting prosecutors and making gun-like hand motions during closing arguments.
Guilty Verdict Marks End of Legal Career
The Lucas County jury deliberated briefly before returning a guilty verdict on September 4, 2026. Alaska's News Source confirmed Exton was convicted of one count of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault. He was acquitted on one felonious assault count related to his ex-wife's father.
Exton now faces decades in prison and the permanent end of his law career. The conviction marks a dramatic fall for the once-practicing attorney, serving as a stark reminder of how divorce disputes can escalate into violent crime.
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