A jury has convicted an 83-year-old Ohio man in the fatal shooting of an Uber driver who authorities say was unknowingly ensnared in the same scam that targeted him.
William J. Brock of South Charleston was found guilty Wednesday of murder, felonious assault and kidnapping in the death of 61-year-old Lo-Letha Toland-Hall of Dublin, a Columbus suburb, according to CBS News.
Investigators said Brock had received scam phone calls demanding $12,000 in alleged bond money for a relative. When Toland-Hall arrived at his home in March 2024 to pick up a package for delivery, Brock believed she was connected to the threats. Authorities later determined Toland-Hall had also been deceived by the scammers and was unaware of the calls or threats made against Brock.
Prosecutors said Toland-Hall was unarmed and posed no threat when Brock shot her six times. Brock’s defense argued the shooting was an act of self-defense, claiming he feared for his family’s safety after being threatened by the scammers.
Brock testified that he believed his life was in danger when the driver arrived. His attorney argued the scammer’s intimidation directly influenced Brock’s actions, according to WHIO-TV.
Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll said the case highlights the devastating consequences of financial scams, noting that the individuals responsible for orchestrating the scheme have not been identified or charged.
“The really sad part about this is that we know there are still criminals out there,” Driscoll said following the verdict.
Brock is scheduled 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.
