SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — A jury has convicted 83-year-old William J. Brock of murder in the shooting of an Uber driver, a tragic case rooted in a misunderstanding after both individuals fell victim to the same scam. Brock fatally shot Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, 61, following a series of lucrative scam phone calls that misled Brock into thinking she was part of a plot to extort him for $12,000 for supposed bond money.

The incident occurred in March 2024, when Toland-Hall arrived at Brock's home, unaware of the scam that had previously targeted him. Prosecutors delineated how Brock shot the driver six times, arguing that she posed no threat because she was unarmed.

During the trial, Brock's defense claimed that he felt threatened and acted in self-defense, spurred by alleged threats from the scammer against his family. However, authorities maintained that Toland-Hall was not involved in any criminal activity and was simply a victim herself.

Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll emphasized the heartbreak for both families affected, stating, 'The really sad part about this is that we know there are still criminals out there.' The conviction has sparked further discussion around the dangers posed by such scams targeting vulnerable individuals.

Brock is scheduled for sentencing next week, as the community grapples with the repercussions of this tragic incident.