Former Toledo attorney Matthew Exton was convicted on Friday, September 4, 2026, after a Lucas County jury found him guilty of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault.
The Incident
In April 2025, a frightening incident unfolded at Sabira restaurant in Toledo, where Exton attempted to shoot his ex-wife and allegedly threatened her parents with the gun.
The jury found Exton guilty of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault and multiple firearm infractions. He was acquitted on the remaining felonious-assault count.
Aggressive Behavior
According to 13 Action News WTVG, Exton walked into the crowded restaurant, ordered a drink for his ex-wife’s table and spat in their direction.
He left the restaurant but later returned with a loaded Colt Defender. Witnesses testified that he pointed it directly at his ex-wife. Fortunately, the safety was still engaged, preventing the gun from firing.
As Matthew Exton tried to disengage the safety, Sabira waiter Tracy Cole Jr. tackled him from behind and helped secure the firearm. Other restaurant employees and patrons assisted in restraining Exton until law enforcement arrived.
A Scary Time For Witnesses
During the trial, restaurant employee Cory Williams took the witness stand and described the horror of that evening.
Footage released by Law&Crime Trials on YouTube captured Williams recounting the confrontation and the actions of her coworker, Tracy Cole Jr.
Viewers Reacted
Viewers who watched her testimony noticed that she appeared nervous, and some felt that she might still be affected by what she had witnessed.
“That young lady was traumatized along with the patrons that night, and traumatized again in court! I feel so sorry for this brave young lady!” one viewer wrote.
Here are a few more responses from the discussion:
- “My heart breaks for this young woman. I was once terrorized by someone at one of my first jobs and you never can quite forget it.”
- “THIS is bravery. She did a great job on the stand. I hope she’s helped to deal with the aftermath.”
- “That poor girl will be traumatised for the rest of her life. She needs help, she looks scared to death… totally heartbreaking.”
- “I feel for this witness.”
Legal Arguments
Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that Matthew Exton had been motivated by anger over a bitter marital breakup and an ongoing property dispute.
According to Court TV coverage, prosecutor Rose Mary Mock said that Exton had entered the restaurant “with malice in his heart and a loaded gun to commit a public assassination of his ex-wife.”
In a statement following the verdict, Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia Bates said Exton “came with anger in him and with the intention to commit a public execution of his ex-wife.”
Meanwhile, defense attorney Ronnie Wingate argued that Exton’s life had become extremely difficult before the incident. He said it had changed from “being OK to simply living out of the trunk of his car, or living with a friend” who allowed him to stay for a while.
Exton Testified
Matthew Exton testified in his own defense and denied intending to kill or harm his ex-wife or her parents.
Exton initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and the court ordered competency and sanity evaluations. However, he was found competent to stand trial.
In May 2026, Judge Gary Cook ruled that Exton had not been suffering from a severe mental disease or defect at the time of the incident and rejected his insanity defence before the case reached the jury.
Soon afterwards, the Ohio Supreme Court suspended Exton’s law license, citing concerns that he posed a substantial threat of serious harm to the public.
Matthew Exton is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, September 21, 2026.
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