Ohio Lawyer Sentenced to 20 Years for Attempted Murder of Ex-Wife in Restaurant
Matthew Exton, facing attempted murder and assault charges, received nearly 25 years in prison for pulling a handgun on his ex-wife at a crowded restaurant.
A disgraced Ohio lawyer has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison for attempting to shoot his ex-wife in a crowded Toledo restaurant. Matthew Exton, 43, received a sentence of nearly 25 years on Monday for attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault.
Exton was found guilty earlier this month for the incident that occurred on April 11, 2025. Surveillance footage captured Exton brandishing a loaded handgun before a waiter, Tracy Cole Jr., tackled him to the ground. Other patrons assisted in restraining Exton until law enforcement arrived.
Prior to his sentencing, Exton attempted to delay the proceedings by claiming he was dismissing his attorney and requesting a continuance to speak with a detective. He also accused Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Gary Cook of bias, incorrectly stating that the judge was up for re-election in an election year and implying this influenced the sentence. Judge Cook was re-elected in November 2024 and is not scheduled for another election until 2030.
During his statement to the court, Exton spoke for approximately 20 minutes, admitting to pointing the gun at his ex-wife and her family after seeing them in the restaurant. He stated he was suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts following his divorce but claimed he did not intend to fire the weapon.
Prosecutors argued that Exton "nearly perpetrated a mass casualty event in the middle of a crowded restaurant if not for the gun safety being on and the intervention of the restaurant server who tackled him." Throughout the proceedings, Exton repeatedly interrupted prosecutors, calling them "liar."
Exton has indicated his intention to appeal the verdict, citing alleged issues with the prosecution's case.