William DiBernardino, Florida man hires, Betty Jo Lane and Jmarr McNeil to carry out acid attack on ex girlfriend in N.J which left her with burns to 35% of her body as all three face felony charges including attempted murder, Gloucester County prosecutors announce.
The former boyfriend of a New Jersey woman along with two other suspects have been arrested in Florida following last month’s ‘acid attack’ on the ex girlfriend which left her with burns to 35% of her body, N.J prosecutors announced on Tuesday.
Investigators believe suspects Betty Jo Lane, 38, and Jmarr McNeil, 39, of Jacksonville, were hired by William DiBernardino, 49, the victim’s former love interest to carry out the July attack on the victim according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.
The three suspects were arrested in Florida and charged in New Jersey with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in the third degree and stalking in the fourth degree, the release stated.
Attackers traveled 900 miles from Florida to carry out acid attack on N.J victim
Moments before the July 26 attack, the 42-year-old unidentified female victim returned home from work and parked in the driveway of her Monroe Township residence, according to prosecutors.
‘As the victim opened her car door, she was approached by an unknown female who threw a cup and its liquid contents directly at the victim,’ the release said. It added, ‘The victim sustained chemical burns over 35 percent of her body and was airlifted to a burn center where she is still being treated,’ the release said.
The liquid is believed to be a ‘highly caustic acid,’ according to the release.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the acid burns or corrodes people’s skin, eyes and mucus membranes on contact.
The female suspect fled in a silver vehicle, which investigators later determined was rented in Florida.
The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office said the 42-year-old sustained chemical burns to over 35% of her body following the attack. She was airlifted to a burn center, where she is still being treated.
Officials determined that Lane and McNeil, ‘were recruited and compensated’ by DiBernardino, of Boynton Beach, to carry out the acid attack, the release said. The pair traveled in the rental car some 900 miles to New Jersey ‘specifically’ to attack the victim, prosecutors said.
The suspects each waived extradition and are being held in Florida until they can be transported to New Jersey, the release said.
Several federal and Florida law enforcement agencies assisted in the investigation, including the FBI, US Marshals Service, Florida Highway Patrol, Boynton Beach Police and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Department, the release added.
