SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — A jury has convicted William J. Brock, an 83-year-old man from South Charleston, Ohio, of murder in the shooting death of Uber driver Lo-Letha Toland-Hall. The tragic incident stemmed from a misunderstanding following a scam that deceived both individuals.
Brock shot and killed Toland-Hall, 61, after mistakenly believing that she was in collusion with scammers, who had swindled him and deceived Toland-Hall with claims of needing $12,000 in bond money for a relative. This misunderstanding led to an encounter at Brock's home in March 2024, where he fired six shots, resulting in Toland-Hall's death.
During the trial, Brock's defense argued that he acted in self-defense and was fearful due to threats made by the scammer towards him and his family. However, prosecutors countered that Toland-Hall arrived unarmed and did not present any threat when she was shot.
Brock, who faced charges of murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping, is set to be sentenced next week. His attorney did not provide immediate comments following the jury's verdict.
Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll expressed the profound sadness surrounding the case, noting that both families have suffered due to the manipulations of con artists. We still have criminals out there who haven't been brought to justice, he stated, emphasizing the need for awareness regarding such scams that target vulnerable individuals.
