Ohio Man Convicted in Death of Uber Driver After Scam Calls

An 83-year-old man from Ohio, William J. Brock, has been convicted of murder for shooting and killing an Uber driver, Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, in a tragic incident linked to scam phone calls.

What Happened

• On March 25, 2024, Brock received a series of fraudulent phone calls from someone posing as a lawyer and threatening that a relative was in trouble and needed $12,000 for bond money. 

• Investigators say the scammers also contacted the Uber driver, directing her to pick up a package from Brock’s home — a real delivery job she believed was legitimate. 

• When the driver arrived, Brock mistakenly believed she was part of the scam and posed a threat. He shot her multiple times outside his home. Prosecutors say she was unarmed and not dangerous. 

Trial and Verdict

• A Clark County, Ohio jury found Brock guilty on charges including murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping. 

• Brock’s defence argued he acted in self-defence, influenced by the threatening calls. Prosecutors rejected that claim, emphasising the driver’s innocence and lack of threat. 

• Sentencing is scheduled for this week, and Brock faces likely life imprisonment. 

Broader Context

Officials and prosecutors described the case as a devastating example of how scammers exploit fear and trust, and how both victims — Brock and Toland-Hall — were targeted by the same fraud scheme. The scammers themselves have not been arrested. 

This case has attracted attention as part of wider concerns about the impact of fraud schemes on vulnerable individuals, especially older adults, and the lethal consequences when misunderstandings intersect with firearms.