CNBNews

MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ (August 22,2024)--On Friday, July 26, 2024, Monroe Township Police were dispatched to a residence in the Forrest Hills development.  Upon arrival, they learned that a 42-year-old resident had returned home from work and parked in her driveway.  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 unknown female assailant fled the area in a silver/grey vehicle.  The victim sustained chemical burns over 35% of her body and was airlifted to a burn center where she is still being treated. The liquid used in the attack is believed to be a highly caustic acid.  

Extensive investigation by Detectives from the Monroe Township Police Department and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office led to the identification of the suspect vehicle, which is registered to and was rented from a rental agency in Florida. It was determined that two subjects, identified as 38-year-old Betty Jo Lane and 39-year-old Jmarr McNeil of Jacksonville, Florida, were recruited and compensated by 49-year-old William DiBernardino of Boynton Beach, Florida to carry out the attack on the victim, with whom DiBernardino had a prior relationship. Lane and McNeil traveled in the rental vehicle to New Jersey specifically to carry out an attack on the victim. 

Members of the Monroe Township Police Department and Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office traveled to Florida to continue the investigation, where they were assisted by the Boynton Beach Police Department, Jacksonville Sherriff’s Department, Fort Pierce Police Department, and United States Marshal’s Service (both the NY/NJ and Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Forces).    

Betty Jo Lane, Jmarr McNeil, and William DiBernardino were apprehended in Florida and each has been charged with the following offenses:

Conspiracy to Commit Murder 1st Degree - 2C:5-2A(1)/2C:11-3A(1) 

Criminal Attempt – Murder 1st Degree - 2C:5-1A(1)/2C:11-3A(1) 

Aggravated Assault 2nd Degree - 2C:12-1B(1) –

Possession of a Weapon Unlawful Purpose 3rd Degree   - 2C:39-4D 

Stalking 4th Degree - 2C:12-10B  

The defendants were lodged in Florida pending return to New Jersey. Each of the defendants waived extradition.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of their rights as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State Law.

This exhaustive, complex and far-reaching investigation has been and continues to be a total team effort. Following is a list of participating agencies to which Acting Prosecutor Vogelsong-Parvin and the staff of the GCPO extend deep appreciation for their partnership and contributions during this investigation: 

Monroe Township Police Department, Glassboro Police Department, U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force - Camden Division, U.S. Marshals Florida/Caribbean Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations-Cherry Hill, Boynton Beach Police Department, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Fort Pierce Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, the Gloucester County Hazardous Materials Response Unit, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Forensic Laboratory and the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Va.  

The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office encourages any witnesses with information regarding this crime to call Detective Jordan Plitt of the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office at 856-384-5583 or Detective Jennifer Skala of the Monroe Township Police Department at 856-728-9800 Ext. 534.

Information can also be e-mailed to the Gloucester County Prosec