Former Ohio attorney Matthew Exton, 43, was convicted after a Lucas County jury found him guilty of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault and multiple firearm specifications stemming from an April 11, 2025, incident at Sabira restaurant in Toledo.
Police reported the incident at about 5:55 p.m. Exton had encountered his ex-wife and her family at the restaurant.
Prosecutors said he initially entered, ordered a drink for their table and spat in their direction before leaving. He later returned carrying a loaded handgun and approached the table.
Exton pointed the firearm at his ex-wife and attempted to fire.
The weapon did not discharge because its safety was engaged. As Exton attempted to manipulate the firearm, waiter Tracy Cole Jr. tackled him from behind. Other patrons and employees helped restrain him, and the firearm was secured and turned over to police. No one was shot.
The jury acquitted Exton of one additional felonious-assault count involving his former father-in-law. Exton testified that he did not intend to shoot anyone and said he pointed the gun to pressure his ex-wife regarding the sale of their former home.
He was found competent to stand trial, and a later insanity defense was rejected.
Before the Toledo case, Exton was involved in a 2024 firearm incident at a Cabela’s store in Dundee, Michigan. He had been chief assistant prosecutor in Kalkaska County, Michigan, for about six weeks before being fired following the incident. In September 2024, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor illegal transportation of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and paid a $500 fine. In May 2025, the Ohio Supreme Court imposed an interim suspension of his law license.
Exton is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 21, 2026.
Former Ohio attorney Matthew Exton, 43, was convicted after a Lucas County jury found him guilty of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault and multiple firearm specifications stemming from an April 11, 2025, incident at Sabira restaurant in Toledo.
Police reported the incident at about 5:55 p.m. Exton had encountered his ex-wife and her family at the restaurant.
Prosecutors said he initially entered, ordered a drink for their table and spat in their direction before leaving. He later returned carrying a loaded handgun and approached the table.
Exton pointed the firearm at his ex-wife and attempted to fire.
The weapon did not discharge because its safety was engaged. As Exton attempted to manipulate the firearm, waiter Tracy Cole Jr. tackled him from behind. Other patrons and employees helped restrain him, and the firearm was secured and turned over to police. No one was shot.
The jury acquitted Exton of one additional felonious-assault count involving his former father-in-law. Exton testified that he did not intend to shoot anyone and said he pointed the gun to pressure his ex-wife regarding the sale of their former home.
He was found competent to stand trial, and a later insanity defense was rejected.
Before the Toledo case, Exton was involved in a 2024 firearm incident at a Cabela’s store in Dundee, Michigan. He had been chief assistant prosecutor in Kalkaska County, Michigan, for about six weeks before being fired following the incident. In September 2024, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor illegal transportation of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and paid a $500 fine. In May 2025, the Ohio Supreme Court imposed an interim suspension of his law license.
Exton is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 21, 2026.