Former Ohio lawyer sentenced to 24½ years for attempted murder

Matthew Exton, a former Ohio attorney, was sentenced on Monday, September 21, 2026, to up to 24½ years in prison after being convicted of two counts of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault for pointing a gun at his ex-wife in a Toledo restaurant. The sentencing took place in Lucas County Common Pleas Court before Judge Gary Cook. Prosecutors said Exton approached his ex-wife, Kayda Valone, while she was dining with family members at Sabira, a restaurant in downtown Toledo, on April 11, 2025, raised a Colt Defender handgun and attempted to fire at close range. The weapon did not discharge because its safety was engaged. Rather than leaving, prosecutors said, Exton began manipulating the weapon in an apparent effort to fire it. Waiter Tracy Cole Jr. tackled him, and other patrons helped restrain him until police arrived. The handgun was loaded with one round in the chamber and seven rounds in the magazine, according to prosecutors. Prosecutor Mike Loisel argued that a mass casualty event was avoided that day, telling the court that Exton had no regard for anyone or anything other than himself.