EX-LAWYER GETS 20+ YEARS FOR TRYING TO SHOOT EX-WIFE

A Lucas County, Ohio, jury convicted Matthew Exton, a 43-year-old former attorney, of attempted murder for trying to shoot his ex-wife at a Toledo restaurant on April 11, 2025, and a judge has since sentenced him to at least 20 years in prison. The gun never fired because its safety was still on, and a waiter and other diners tackled him before he could try again.

Exton was an attorney with law offices in Sylvania, Ohio, and Traverse City, Michigan. The Ohio Supreme Court suspended his law license in May 2025, after the incident, WBTV reported.

According to Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia R. Bates, the evening began when Exton ordered a drink at the bar inside Souk, a restaurant in Toledo. When he left, he spotted his ex-wife and her family at Sabira, the restaurant next door, WTVG reported. Sabira was celebrating its opening night.

Exton walked into Sabira, ordered a drink at the bar to be sent to the family’s table, and spat toward the table on his way out.

He came back with a gun. Bates said he headed directly for the table and tried to shoot his ex-wife, but the safety was on and the weapon did not go off.

A waiter and several patrons jumped him before he could try to fire again. Bates called the employees and patrons who stepped in heroes.

“Nothing in their training and soft openings at the restaurant could have prepared the staff for what walked through that door,” Bates said.

She was blunt about why she believed he was there. “The defendant did not come with the intention of having a meal. He came with anger in him and with the intention to commit a public execution of his ex-wife at the restaurant that day.”

The jury reached its verdict on September 4, 2026. It found Exton guilty of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault, all with firearm specifications. It found him not guilty on one remaining count of felonious assault.

On September 21, 2026, Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Gary Cook sentenced Exton to a prison term of at least 20 years and up to 24.5 years, according to WTVG’s updated report. The ABA Journal also reported the 24.5-year maximum.