Ohio jury finds former Traverse City attorney guilty of attempted murder of his ex-wife

A former Traverse City Attorney is waiting for his sentence after an Ohio jury found him guilty of attempted murder of his ex-wife.

The Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in Toledo, Ohio, said on Sept. 4, 2026, a Lucas County jury found Matthew Exton, 43, guilty of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault with two firearm specifications attached to each of the three counts.

Exton, according to the prosecuting attorney, was also facing another charge of felonious assault that the jury found him not guilty of.

Exton used to own Matthew Exton Law Offices, which were located in Traverse City and Sylvania and are now listed as permanently closed. He was also a former Kalkaska County chief assistant prosecutor.

The conviction stems from a 2025 incident where, on April 11, the prosecuting attorney said Exton ordered a drink at the bar inside Souk restaurant in Toledo.

After leaving the restaurant, the prosecuting attorney’s office said Exton saw his ex-wife and her family next door at Sabira restaurant, which was celebrating its opening night.

Upon seeing his ex-wife, the prosecuting attorney’s office said Exton entered the restaurant and ordered a drink at the bar and had the drink sent to her table.

Exton went to leave the restaurant and spit towards his ex-wife’s table as he exited.

The prosecuting attorney’s office said Exton later returned to the restaurant with a gun and headed directly toward their table, where he tried to fire the weapon.

Exton ultimately failed, as the prosecuting attorney’s office said the gun’s safety was still engaged.

Before Exton could make a second attempt at shooting his ex-wife, the prosecuting attorney’s office said a waiter tackled him.

According to the prosecuting attorney’s office, the gun had one round in the chamber and seven others in the magazine.

Exton’s sentencing is set for Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the Lucas County Courthouse in Courtroom 1.

DETAILS: https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/ohio-jury-finds-former-traverse-city-attorney-guilty-of-attempted-murder-of-his-ex-wife-grand-traverse-county-toldedo-kalkaska?teaserSource=trending
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Written by UpNorthLive