NEW JERSEY, USA — Two Jacksonville residents were arrested following an "acid attack" in Monroe Township, New Jersey, police announced Tuesday.
Betty Jo Lane, 38, and Jmarr McNeil, 39, were hired by William DiBernardino, a man from Boynton Beach, Florida, to carry out an attack on a 42-year-old woman, according to a press release from the Gloucester County, New Jersey, Prosecutor's Office. DiBernardino allegedly "compensated" the two for their involvement.
The press release says DiBernardino had a prior relationship with the victim.
The attack happened on July 26, when police say the victim returned from work and opened her car door. A suspect, who police identified as Lane, approached and threw liquid from inside a cup at the victim, then fled.
The victim was airlifted to a burn center with chemical burns on 35% of her body. Police believe the liquid was a "highly caustic acid."
Police say Lane and McNeil rented a car from an agency in Florida, then traveled to New Jersey only to carry out the attack.
Both suspects, as well as DiBernandino, have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the 1st degree, attempted murder in the 1st degree, aggravated assault in the 2nd degree, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in the 3rd degree and stalking in the 4th degree.
6ABC Action News in Philadelphia spoke to a witness who said he heard the woman's screams and came to help.
"At first I thought it was an animal attacking another animal and then I thought, 'Well that sounds like a woman's voice,'" the witness said.
The neighbor said the car "looked there was an explosion."