An 83-year-old Ohio man, William J. Brock, was sentenced to 21 years to life after a jury convicted him in January of murdering 61-year-old Uber driver Lo-Letha Toland-Hall. Brock shot Toland-Hall six times outside his South Charleston home after being targeted by scammers who demanded $12,000. Toland-Hall, sent to pick up a package, was unaware of the scam and was unarmed; Brock claimed self-defense. Authorities continue searching for the scammers.
83-Year-Old Sentenced to 21 Years to Life After Killing Uber Driver He Mistook for Scammer
Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, left, and William BrockLo-Letha Toland-Hall/Facebook; Clark County Sheriff's Office
William J. Brock, 83, has been sentenced to 21 years to life after a jury convicted him of murdering 61-year-old Uber driver Lo-Letha Toland-Hall outside his South Charleston, Ohio, home in March 2024.
Prosecutors say the fatal shooting followed a phone scam that targeted Brock and instructed him to withdraw $12,000 to bail a supposed relative out of jail. After Brock discovered the relative did not exist, the caller allegedly threatened him and demanded that he hand the money to the person waiting outside his house.
What Happened
Investigators say the person waiting outside was Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, who had been sent to pick up a package and—unbeknownst to Brock—was also targeted by the same scammers. Toland-Hall, 61, worked for Uber and had no knowledge of the caller's demands.
When Toland-Hall arrived, Brock confronted her while armed. According to prosecutors, she repeatedly explained she was an Uber driver and pleaded for her life. Brock fired six times; Toland-Hall was taken to a hospital and later died of her injuries.
Trial and Sentence
Brock maintained a self-defense claim during his trial, but a jury convicted him of murder in January. He was sentenced on Feb. 2 to 21 years to life in prison. Prosecutors emphasized that Toland-Hall was unarmed and posed no threat when she was shot.
Both families have lost loved ones because of this, and there are no winners here. The really sad part about this is that we know that the scammers, the folks who started this, haven't been brought to justice. And hopefully one day the FBI will bring those folks and we'll be able to prosecute them right here in Clark County for what they did.
Law enforcement agencies continue to search for the scammers who initiated the phone calls; they had not been apprehended by the time of sentencing. The case has drawn national attention and highlights how fraud schemes can escalate into tragic violence.
Advice From Authorities
Officials urge the public to be cautious about unsolicited calls demanding money: verify claims independently, avoid rushing to withdraw large sums, and contact local law enforcement or the FBI when in doubt.
Sources: The New York Times, the Associated Press, Springfield News-Sun, Clark County Prosecutor's Office.
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