A jury has convicted an 83-year-old Ohio man of murder in the fatal shooting of an Uber driver whom he mistakenly believed was trying to rob him after both were deceived by the same phone scam, authorities said.
The accused, William J. Brock of South Charleston, was found guilty on Wednesday of murder, felonious assault and kidnapping. He is scheduled to be sentenced later this week.
Fatal misunderstanding rooted in scam
Prosecutors said Brock had received scam phone calls demanding $12,000 as supposed bond money for a relative and making threats against him. When Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, 61, arrived at his home in March 2024 to collect a package, Brock wrongly believed she was part of the scheme.
Investigators said Toland-Hall, a resident of Dublin near Columbus, was herself an unwitting victim of the scam, having been directed to Brock’s home by the fraudsters. Authorities said Brock shot her six times when she appeared at his door.
Defence claims self-defence rejected
Brock’s defence argued the shooting was an act of self-defence, claiming the scammer had made threats against Brock and his family, leaving him fearful when the driver arrived. Brock testified that he felt endangered.
Prosecutors countered that Toland-Hall was unarmed and posed no threat. Evidence showed she was unaware of the scam calls Brock had received and believed she was completing a legitimate ride.
Families left grieving
Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll said the case underscored the devastating impact of phone scams. “Both families lost loved ones because of this scam,” he said after the verdict, adding that those responsible for orchestrating the fraud remain at large.
The case has renewed calls for greater public awareness around phone scams, particularly those targeting elderly people, and for improved safeguards for gig-economy workers who can be unknowingly drawn into criminal deception.