A former Ohio attorney has been convicted of attempted murder after trying to shoot his ex-wife at a Toledo restaurant, where a waiter and diners tackled him before he could fire again.
Matthew Exton, 43, was found guilty by a Lucas County jury on 4 September of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault and firearm specifications attached to each offence. He was acquitted of a further felonious assault charge.
The attack took place on 11 April 2025 at Sabira, an Italian restaurant celebrating its opening night. Exton had been drinking at the neighbouring Souk restaurant when he saw his former wife, Kada Malone, dining with her parents.
According to prosecutors, Exton went into Sabira and ordered a drink to be sent to Malone’s table before spitting towards the family as he left. He later returned carrying a handgun and walked directly towards them.
Surveillance footage showed Exton pressing the weapon towards Malone and attempting to fire as she raised her hands. The gun failed to discharge because its safety was still engaged, prosecutors said.
A waiter then tackled Exton from behind, with other staff and customers helping to restrain him. The weapon had one round in the chamber and seven more in its magazine.
Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia R. Bates said Exton had not entered the restaurant intending to eat, but had arrived “with anger in him” and planned what she described as a public execution of his ex-wife.
She praised the restaurant employees and patrons who intervened, calling them heroes. The felonious assault convictions relate to Malone’s parents, Jeannie and Charles Malone.
During the trial, Exton acknowledged pointing the gun but denied intending to shoot his former wife. He testified that he was trying to pressure her over the sale of their former home, according to reports of the proceedings.
Exton was removed from court after interrupting prosecutors during closing arguments. He also shouted lyrics from Johnny Cash’s song God’s Gonna Cut You Down and made a gun-shaped gesture towards assistant prosecutor Rose Mary Mock.
The judge instructed jurors not to allow his behaviour to influence their decision. Exton watched the verdict from a holding area after being removed from the courtroom.
The Ohio Supreme Court suspended his law licence in May 2025 following the restaurant incident. He is due to be sentenced at Lucas County Courthouse on 21 September 2026.
