Serious footage/ American lawyer points gun at his ex-wife in restaurant

Matthew Exton, a 43-year-old former lawyer and former local prosecutor in Ohio, was found guilty of the attempted murder of his ex-wife. He approached her in a restaurant, pointed a gun at her head at close range and pulled the trigger. 

According to prosecutors, his intention was to carry out a "public execution," but the gun did not fire because the safety remained on. Before he could try again, a waiter jumped on him and, with the help of other customers, neutralized him. The incident occurred on April 11, 2025 in Toledo, Ohio.

According to the prosecution, Matthew Exton was at the Souk restaurant having a drink when he noticed his ex-wife, Kanda Malone, was having dinner with her parents, Jeannie and Charles Malone, at the nearby Italian restaurant, Sabira.

Exton entered the Sabira bar, ordered a drink for his ex-wife's table, spat at her and her parents, and then left. He returned moments later with a gun in his hand. Security camera footage captured the 43-year-old approaching Kanda Malone, pointing the gun at close range and pulling the trigger.

The woman, realizing what was happening, instinctively raised her hands in front of her face. The gun, however, did not fire. As prosecutors said during the trial, the gun's safety remained engaged, which prevented it from firing.

Prosecutors have called the attack an attempted "public execution," alleging that Exton intended to kill his ex-wife in front of her parents and the rest of the people in the restaurant. Before the 43-year-old could attempt a second shot, a waiter ran into him and knocked him to the ground.

Other people in the restaurant immediately intervened, helping to restrain him and preventing him from using the gun again. Their immediate reaction proved decisive, as Exton did not have time to attempt a second shot.

In addition to the attempted murder of Canda Malone, Exton was also found guilty of two aggravated assaults involving his ex-wife's parents, Jeannie and Charles Malone. Her parents were at the same table when Exton returned armed and tried to shoot their daughter.

The threatening message before the attack

During the prosecution's opening statement, prosecutors also referred to a voicemail Exton left with his ex-wife before the attempted shooting. In the message, he referenced a line from the Johnny Cash song "God's Gonna Cut You Down," essentially saying, "Sooner or later, God's going to punish you."

Prosecutors presented the message as further evidence of threatening behavior, arguing that it shed light on Exton's motive and psychological state before the attack.

He also erupted in court.

On the day the jury returned its verdict, Exton caused a disturbance in the courtroom and had to be removed. He appeared to be reacting to the way the prosecution had presented the voicemail and began shouting the lyrics to the song "God's Gonna Cut You Down" as he was being led out of the courtroom by court officers.

During the hearing, Exton made a gun gesture with his fingers and pointed them at Lucas County Assistant District Attorney Rose Mock. The judge gave the jury a clear instruction to ignore the defendant's behavior and not let it affect their judgment. Matthew Exton, a former attorney and former district attorney, was found guilty of attempted murder and other charges related to the attack. His sentencing is scheduled for September 21, 2026. ©LAPSI.al