A disgraced Ohio attorney has been found guilty of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault in connection with an incident where he attempted to shoot his ex-wife at a restaurant in front of guests. Matthew Exton, 43, was convicted on Friday for the April 11, 2025, event.
Exton, who previously worked as an attorney in Traverse and Sylvania, was captured on surveillance footage pointing a gun at his ex-wife, Kayda Valone, while she was dining with her family at Sabira, a restaurant in downtown Toledo. According to Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates, Exton had been drinking at an adjacent restaurant before ordering a drink to be sent to Valone's table. He then approached the table and brandished a handgun.
The gun did not fire because its safety was engaged. Screams of "Stop! Gun, gun, gun," erupted from patrons as Valone fell to the floor. A waiter then tackled Exton to the ground. Surveillance footage shows several patrons, including Valone and her parents, surrounding Exton as he was subdued.
At the time of the incident, the weapon had one round in the chamber and seven in the magazine. Bates stated that the restaurant staff was unprepared for such an event and that Exton had entered with the intent to commit "a public execution of his ex-wife."
During the trial, Exton testified that he pointed the gun at Valone to pressure her into providing him with proceeds from their former shared home, stating he "needed it. I was hurt." He claimed he never aimed at her parents and did not disengage the safety or pull the trigger. He described their divorce, finalized in January 2025 after they both filed in February 2024, as "terrible" and "painful." Exton also mentioned that Valone was aware of his homosexuality, a fact not known by his first wife. Their marriage began in March 2017 and was described by Exton as "tumultuous." He also stated he has one child from his first marriage.
Prosecutors referred to Exton's emotional testimony as "crocodile tears." During closing arguments, Exton became agitated, interrupting the proceedings and shouting "Gun!" He was eventually removed to another room to view the trial remotely after continuing to object and assert his constitutional rights.
The jury acquitted Exton on one count of felonious assault but found him guilty on the charges of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21 and faces up to 25 years in prison.