Lawyer caught on CCTV trying to shoot ex-wife dead after pulling out loaded handgun in restaurant is jailed

A DISGRACED lawyer will spend over two decades behind bars after he pulled a loaded his gun on his ex-wife in a packed restaurant. Matthew Exton, 43, was sentenced to 24 years and six months in prison after he stormed an Ohio eatery in April last year with the intention of killing his former spouse. Matthew Exton, 43, stormed the Ohio restaurant with a loaded gun in April 2025 Credit: WTVG He has been sentenced to 24.5 years in prison Credit: Cleveland 19 WOIO The former attorney was convicted of two counts of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault in early September. CCTV footage captured the moment Exton menaced the pistol at the woman and her mother at Sabira restaurant. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The accosted ex-wife only narrowly avoided death when the gun failed to fire as the weapon’s safety was on, after which Exton was tackled. Heroic patrons and staff pounced on Exton, who was out for blood according to the judge’s ruling. Hero bystanders tackled Exton when he levied the gun at his ex-wife and her mother Credit: WTVG He was convicted at a Toledo, Ohio, court in early September Credit: WTVG During his sentencing on Monday in downtown Toledo, Ohio, prosecutors said a mass casualty event was avoided that day. Prosecutor Mike Loisel said Exton is so deranged that he “must be incarcerated” for an extended period. He continued: “He nearly perpetrated a mass casualty event in the middle of a crowded restaurant. “He had no regard for anyone or anything other than himself. Most read in The Sun The disgraced lawyer had his licence suspended in May 2025 following the attempted killing Credit: Facebook He was caught on the Toledo restaurant’s CCTV pointing the gun at his former partner Credit: WTVG “This court has provided protection for all the victims in this matter and, quite honestly, to the public at large.” The court heard how the former couple divorced in 2024 with Exton initiating proceedings. During the trial, he insisted that he did not intend to kill or harm his former spouse or her mother even though video from the event shows him charging at the pair with his gun drawn. Exton complained to the court that his charges were political and that he was being unfairly treated. “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. I didn’t kill anybody. I didn’t hurt any people, and I did not try,” he argued. Judge Cook blasted his defence by playing footage of the incident before handing down the 24-and-a half-year prison sentence. Cook specifically highlighted a moment when Exton frantically scrambled to unlock the safety lever after the weapon misfired as proof of his murderous will. He said: “You are flummoxed by the fact that it did not go off, and you’re trying to fix the safety. “That is the moment cementing your intent.” It is understood the former lawyer had been drinking at a bar before the event. The gun had one round in the chamber and seven more in the magazine, according to prosecutors. Exton, who had law offices in Sylvania and Traverse City, had his licence suspended in May 2025 following the attempted killing. Prosecutor Julia R. Bates said: “He came with anger in him and with the intention to commit a public execution of his ex-wife at the restaurant that day.” The jury found him not guilty on one remaining count of felonious assault against his ex-father-in-law after they concluded he did not point a gun at him. Comment now