SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A jury has convicted 83-year-old William J. Brock of murder for the shooting of an Uber driver he mistakenly believed was part of a robbery scheme that had perpetrated a scam against him.
The incident occurred when Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, 61, arrived at Brock's home to pick up a package, not knowing she was caught in the crossfire of misunderstanding stemming from a fraudulent phone call. Authorities stated Brock thought the Uber driver was in collusion with scammers who had convinced him that $12,000 was needed for a relative's bond.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Toland-Hall posed no real threat as she was unarmed when Brock shot her six times in March 2024. In contrast, Brock's attorney claimed self-defense, citing threats made against him and his family by the scammers.
Brock was convicted this past Wednesday of murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping, and he is set for sentencing next week. His attorney has yet to comment following the conviction.
Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll indicated that this tragic case highlights the broader issue of elder fraud, emphasizing that both families have lost loved ones due to the fraudulent activities of scammers. The really sad part about this is that we know there are still criminals out there, Driscoll stated, underscoring the need for justice against those who instigate such scams.
