A former attorney has been sentenced to up to 24 and a half years in prison following his conviction for attempting to murder his ex-wife inside a Toledo, Ohio restaurant last spring.
Matthew Exton, 43, was found guilty earlier this month on two counts of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault stemming from an incident on April 11, 2025. The severity of his sentence reflects both the violent nature of his actions and the enhanced penalties under Ohio law for crimes committed with a firearm.
According to prosecutors, Exton entered the establishment and approached a table where his former wife sat dining with her mother. He drew a Colt Defender handgun and aimed it at close range at his ex-spouse. The weapon failed to discharge only because the safety mechanism remained engaged.
In those critical seconds before Exton could disengage the safety, a restaurant employee and other patrons intervened, tackling and restraining him until law enforcement arrived. Their swift action likely prevented a tragedy that could have claimed multiple lives.
During Monday’s sentencing hearing in Lucas County Common Pleas Court, prosecutor Mike Loisel emphasized the broader danger Exton posed that day. The prosecutor argued that Exton nearly perpetrated a mass casualty event in a crowded public space, demonstrating complete disregard for innocent bystanders.
“He had no regard for anyone or anything other than himself,” Loisel told the court, arguing that Exton’s instability necessitates a lengthy period of incarceration to protect both the victims and the general public.
Exton, who divorced his wife in 2024, chose to represent himself during the sentencing phase after dismissing his attorney. He maintained that he harbored no intention to kill or harm anyone, despite surveillance footage clearly showing him charging toward the two women with his weapon drawn.
In his remarks to the court, Exton attempted various defenses, including claims that the charges against him were politically motivated. He invoked the familiar adage that guns do not kill people, insisting he never hurt anyone or intended to do so.
Judge Gary Cook rejected these arguments after reviewing the surveillance footage with particular attention to detail. The judge noted a critical moment captured on video when Exton appeared visibly confused that the weapon had not fired and could be seen attempting to disengage the safety mechanism.
“You are flummoxed by the fact that it did not go off, and you’re trying to fix the safety,” Judge Cook stated from the bench. “That is the moment cementing your intent.”
The evidence proved insurmountable. The video documentation, combined with witness testimony and the physical evidence of the loaded weapon, established beyond reasonable doubt that Exton intended to carry out the attack.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed when domestic disputes escalate to violence, particularly when firearms are involved. The quick thinking of ordinary citizens in that restaurant prevented what prosecutors accurately described as a potential mass casualty event.
Exton will be eligible for parole only after serving a substantial portion of his sentence, ensuring that both his former wife and her family can live without fear of retribution for years to come.
Related: TSA Officers Discover Hidden Knife Inside Baseball Bat Flashlight at Tampa Airport
