Judge dramatically halts Bristol acid attack murder trial

The jury in the trial of a woman accused of murdering her ex-partner after throwing acid over his face and body has been discharged.

Berlinah Wallace, 48, is accused of murdering Mark Van Dongen, 29, who was paralysed from the neck down, ‘grotesquely scarred’ and all but blinded by the alleged attack in September 2015.

The trial at Bristol Crown Court had been adjourned last week by Mrs Justice May to allow a question of law ‘to be further considered’.

The murder trial in which Berlinah Wallace, pictured, is accused of killing her former partner by throwing acid over him has been halted and the jury discharged for ‘legal reasons’

Wallace has always denied the charges and claims she thought she was 'throwing water'

Mark van Dongen was left paralysed and almost blind after an acid attack and took his own life at a euthanasia clinic in Belgium in January, leading to the murder case

Mark van Dongen, right, was left paralysed and almost blind after an acid attack and took his own life at a euthanasia clinic in Belgium in January, leading to the murder case against Wallace, left

The jury of six men and six women returned to court on Wednesday to learn the judge was halting the trial and discharging them for legal reasons.

She told them: ‘When I adjourned this trial just over a week ago it was for the consideration of a legal matter. We cannot say for certain when it will be finalised.

‘In these circumstances there is no option but to discharge you from further service at this trial.

‘We realise that you will be frustrated and disappointed and having undertaken a solemn duty you are not going to be able to discharge that role.

‘Thank you very much for your service in this trial.’

Mrs Justice May remanded Wallace in custody and fixed a provisional trial date of April 17 next year.

The defendant, who denies the charge of murder, also faces a charge of throwing a corrosive substance with intent.

The court previously heard Mr Van Dongen ran out into the street screaming in pain after the attack on September 23, 2015 in the Westbury Park area of Bristol.

The trial of Wallace, pictured in a court sketch, was adjourned last week for 'a question of law to be considered'

The trial of Wallace, pictured in a court sketch, was adjourned last week for ‘a question of law to be considered’

The Dutch-born civil engineer suffered 15 months of pain before taking his own life at a euthanasia clinic in Belgium on January 2, 2017.

The jury heard Mr Van Dongen had lost the sight in his left eye and most of the sight in his right eye.

He lost his lower left leg, which was amputated, was confined to a hospital bed, for a long time unable to move anything other than his tongue and that while his physical condition improved a little – he regained the power of speech – he was left paralysed from the neck down. 

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