Daijiworld Media Network – Toledo

Toledo, Sep 10: A former attorney has been convicted of attempted murder after prosecutors said he tried to carry out the “public execution” of his ex-wife at a restaurant in Toledo, Ohio, last year.

Matthew Exton, 43, attempted to shoot his former wife on April 11, 2025, but the gun’s safety was engaged, allowing a waiter to tackle him before he could fire again, the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office said.

Exton was also convicted of two counts of felonious assault, with sentencing enhancements attached to all three convictions. He was acquitted of one count of assault and is scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

During the trial, which concluded last week, Exton testified that he had previously worked as a prosecutor in Michigan and was licensed to practise law in Ohio. He said he had handled divorce, family and bankruptcy cases but became homeless after separating from his wife.

Court records show the couple divorced in 2024. Exton said he was frustrated with the way his former wife had handled certain aspects of their divorce when he confronted her at the downtown Toledo restaurant.

According to prosecutors, Exton saw his ex-wife and her family at the restaurant, which was holding its opening night, after leaving another restaurant next door. He first ordered a drink and had it delivered to the table where she was seated with her family. He then spat towards them and left.

Exton later returned carrying a Colt Defender handgun and walked directly towards his former wife, prosecutors said. Video released by the prosecutor’s office showed him approaching the table and pulling the handgun from his pocket.

His former wife told authorities that Exton pointed the gun at her chest and repeatedly pulled the trigger. According to a protection order petition filed two days after the incident, the gun made rapid clicking sounds as he pulled the trigger.

The video showed Exton pointing the firearm while his ex-wife shouted “gun”. A waiter then tackled him.

Prosecutors said the weapon had one round in the chamber and seven rounds in the magazine, but the safety remained engaged, preventing it from firing.

Exton denied intending to shoot or harm his former wife. Testifying in court, he said he had pointed the gun to demonstrate that he was serious about her complying with a court order.

“I did not fire,” he said. “I did not hurt her. I did not try to hurt her.”

Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia Bates said the restaurant staff could not have anticipated such an incident during its opening night.

“The defendant did not come with the intention of having a meal,” Bates said, adding that he arrived “with anger in him” and intended to carry out a public execution of his former wife.

Exton is due to appear in court later this month for sentencing.