SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — An 83-year-old man has been convicted of murder in a tragic case involving the shooting of an Uber driver, whom he mistakenly believed was attempting to rob him as part of a scam scheme that had ensnared both of them.
William J. Brock was found guilty for the shooting death of 61-year-old Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, who arrived at his residence to deliver a package. This delivery was misconstrued by Brock as an attempt by Toland-Hall to execute a scam demanding $12,000 for phony bond money for a relative.
Authorities indicated that the incident took place in March 2024, with Brock shooting Toland-Hall six times when she reached his home. After weeks of trial, he was convicted of murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping, with sentencing scheduled for next week.
During the trial, Brock's attorney argued that the shooting was an act of self-defense, stating that the driver posed a threat influenced by a series of threatening scam calls Brock had received. However, prosecutors highlighted that Toland-Hall was unarmed and completely unaware of the supposed threats Brock had been facing.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with ongoing scams targeting vulnerable individuals. Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll noted the tragic loss suffered by both families and stressed that such scammers remain active and unpunished, continuing to pose a risk to others.
