A Florida man who allegedly planned an acid attack that left his ex-girlfriend in critical condition in New Jersey has reportedly paid nearly $40,000 to the individuals who carried out the attack.
William DiBernardino Jr., 49, of Boynton Beach, Florida, allegedly hired a Jacksonville couple, identified as Betty Jo Lane and Jmarr McNeil, to travel to New Jersey and carry out the violent plan, according to the Gloucester County District Attorney’s Office.
The incident occurred on July 26 outside the 42-year-old victim’s home in Monroe Township.
She was airlifted to a burn center and remains in hospital in critical condition after undergoing more than 10 surgeries, prosecutors said Thursday.
On the day of the attack, Lane, 38, allegedly approached the unidentified victim as she was walking home from work. Lane threw a cup of acid at her, prosecutors said, causing chemical burns to about 35 percent of her body.
Lane then walked away from the crime scene with McNeil, 39.
DiBernardino, Lane and McNeil are now charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit murder and harassment.
The ex-boyfriend allegedly provided instructions on where to obtain a GPS tracking device to place on the victim’s car and sent McNeil money to cover their travel to New Jersey and payment to carry out the assault.
It’s unclear what happened between DiBernardino and the victim that led to the assault. The two had been together for 12 years before their separation, according to Gloucester County Assistant District Attorney Dana Anton.
“This is murder money. It was clearly personal,” Anton said at a news conference Thursday, referring to the nearly $40,000 payment. “This was his ex-fiancée. He wanted her to suffer.”
DiBernardino’s attorney, Yaron Helmer, disputed the charges, arguing that the use of acid as a murder weapon is rare and does not necessarily indicate intent to kill.
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