An Ohio jury convicted 83-year-old William J. Brock of murder after he shot Uber driver Lo-Letha Toland-Hall six times in March 2024, mistakenly believing she was helping execute a $12,000 phone scam. Brock was also found guilty of felonious assault and kidnapping and faces sentencing next week. The defense argued self-defense after threatening scam calls; prosecutors say Toland-Hall was unarmed and unaware of the scheme. Authorities emphasize the original scammers remain at large while both families suffer loss.
83-Year-Old Man Convicted Of Murder After Fatally Shooting Uber Driver He Mistook For Scam Accomplice
In this image taken from Uber dashcam video released by the Clark County, Ohio, Sheriff's Office, William Brock, right, holds a weapon to Uber driver Loletha Hall outside his home in South Charleston, Ohio, on March 25, 2024. / Credit: Clark County Sheriff's Office via AP
An Ohio jury has convicted 83-year-old William J. Brock of murder after he fatally shot an Uber driver he mistakenly believed was cooperating with a phone scam demanding $12,000. The victim, 61-year-old Lo-Letha Toland-Hall of Dublin, was shot six times outside Brock's home in March 2024, authorities said.
Case Details
According to investigators, both Brock and the driver had been targeted by the same scammer. Brock received threatening calls demanding bond money for a relative; he later told police he believed Toland-Hall was part of the scheme when she arrived at his residence—located between Dayton and Columbus—to pick up a package for delivery.
What Happened At The Scene
Authorities say Brock shot Toland-Hall six times when she arrived. Prosecutors maintained at trial that Toland-Hall was unarmed, posed no threat, and was unaware of the scam on Brock. Brock, a South Charleston resident, was convicted Wednesday of murder, felonious assault and kidnapping after a jury deliberated for roughly an hour.
Defense And Testimony
Brock's attorney argued the shooting was an act of self-defense, saying the scammer had made threats against Brock and his family. Brock testified he felt his life was in imminent danger when the driver arrived, prompting him to grab a gun and force her out of his home. He told a local station that 'after the first shot, she backed up a little more' and described a brief scuffle at a vehicle door during which he said his head was injured.
Prosecution Response
Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll said the verdict underscored the tragedy of both families losing loved ones to the scam. 'The really sad part about this is that we know there are still criminals out there,' he said, noting that the scammers who set the events in motion remain at large.
Brock is due to be sentenced next week. One year after Toland-Hall's death, her estate filed a wrongful-death lawsuit seeking more than $25,000 in damages, local media reported.
Facts At A Glance: Victim: Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, 61; Defendant: William J. Brock, 83; Charges: Murder, felonious assault, kidnapping; Incident: March 2024; Shots fired: Six; Jury deliberation: About one hour.
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