Acid attack victim testifies, via recording, at his own murder trial - Sensationalist Headlines

[img]https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/15C52/production/_93507198_c5c31583-13e9-4034-ab96-55d53c26d62d.jpg[/img] [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-41914798[/url] [quote]An acid attack victim has told jurors, in testimony recorded before his death, how the "jealous" ex accused of his murder laughed as she doused him in a corrosive liquid. In video evidence, Mark van Dongen, 29, said Berlinah Wallace, 48, shouted "if I can't have you, no-one else can" as she threw sulphuric acid at him. Bristol Crown Court heard he ended his life in a euthanasia clinic due to unbearable pain from his injuries. Ms Wallace denies murder. The court heard Dutch national Mr van Dongen was left paralysed from the neck down and lost his left leg, the sight in his left eye and most of the sight in his right eye, after the September 2015 attack in Bristol.[/quote] TLDR his ex attacked him with acid, leaving him paralysed from the neck down, near-blind, and severely maimed. He recorded video testimony for her trial and then, due to unbearable pain and his life being ruined, he chose to end his life at a euthanasia clinic. Since the attack was directly linked to his death, her charge was upgraded to murder.

Jesus fucking Christ... the rise of acid attacks is terrifying.

I had no idea acid attacks could cause paralysis, that's insane, poor guy didn't deserve any of that.

As an amateur chemist, can't wait for another set of compounds to be highly restricted and associated with criminal behavior, thanks to some assholes misusing them. :hammered: EDIT: To explain further, there are already many useful reagents that are unfortunately associated with drug manufacture and terrorism. The basic mineral acids are extremely versatile and necessary for many reactions, and are currently widely available. If they need to be restricted then they definitely should be, but it will unfortunately make amateur chemistry even less approachable than it already is. EDIT: Because it still seems unclear to some people: I don't have a problem with restricting dangerous compounds, I have a problem with the assholes misusing them, requiring the restriction.

[QUOTE=Quiet;52869672]As an amateur chemist, can't wait for another set of compounds to be highly restricted and associated with criminal behavior. :hammered:[/QUOTE] What alternative is there. Acid attacks are on the rise and the [I]general[/I] public have no need for dangerous highly corrosive chemicals. (not counting household bleach etc because I assume that's not what's being used in attacks) This is a logical step to take imo

[QUOTE=Quiet;52869672]As an amateur chemist, can't wait for another set of compounds to be highly restricted and associated with criminal behavior, thanks to some assholes misusing them. :hammered:[/QUOTE] What great priorities you have, bringing this up NOW

[QUOTE=Quiet;52869672]As an amateur chemist, can't wait for another set of compounds to be highly restricted and associated with criminal behavior, thanks to some assholes misusing them. :hammered:[/QUOTE] I understand where you're coming from, as a chemist, but perhaps dangerous, highly corrosive chemicals like [I]sulphuric acid[/I] shouldn't be so easy to obtain. When you obtain chemicals like this, you should honestly be on a list of people who purchase them, as well as endure a minor background check and/or a mental health check. It's sulphuric acid, man. If you're going to use it for scientific reasons, at least be willing to make it safer for everyone involved.

[QUOTE=Quiet;52869672]As an amateur chemist, can't wait for another set of compounds to be highly restricted and associated with criminal behavior, thanks to some assholes misusing them. :hammered:[/QUOTE] If you're an actual chemist then you shouldn't have any issue getting hold of- and using the chemicals for work, though.

[QUOTE=Quiet;52869672]As an amateur chemist, can't wait for another set of compounds to be highly restricted and associated with criminal behavior, thanks to some assholes misusing them. :hammered:[/QUOTE] ok, lets just keep allowing any tom dick and fuckhead to keep buying a dangerous life ruining chemical for the express purpose of maiming people

[QUOTE=_Maverick_;52869686]What alternative is there. Acid attacks are on the rise and the [I]general[/I] public have no need for dangerous highly corrosive chemicals. (not counting household bleach etc because I assume that's not what's being used in attacks) This is a logical step to take imo[/QUOTE] I feel like they aren't hard to find/make plus they have a lot of legal uses.

she deserves the death penalty

[QUOTE=_Maverick_;52869686]What alternative is there. Acid attacks are on the rise and the [I]general[/I] public have no need for dangerous highly corrosive chemicals. (not counting household bleach etc because I assume that's not what's being used in attacks) This is a logical step to take imo[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=SIRIUS;52869694]What great priorities you have, bringing this up NOW[/QUOTE] My apologies. Of course if this kind of thing keeps happening, then we must make it very difficult to obtain. I am just lamenting the fact that it is being misused.

Interesting to learn that the prosecution upgrade the charge to second degree murder, the defence might argue that there is break in the chain of causation...

To clarify what I'm saying, I think yeah it's terrible that any dickhead can ruin someone's life and lead to their death like this, but what will banning it for most people do? These incidents are heavily publicized because they are relatively rare, think of how many deaths come from things legal in most sane places like cars, alcohol, knives, and guns? [editline]8th November 2017[/editline] [QUOTE=Chaitin;52869716]Interesting to learn that the prosecution upgrade the charge to second degree murder, the defence might argue that there is break in the chain of causation...[/QUOTE] Yeah, I think the murder charge is kind of a dumb move. A crime like this should have the weight of a murder charge anyway, but upgrading to murder means the case will likely be harder to win (unsure if you guys have double jeopardy or not tbh) and will set a bad precedent for treatment of euthanasia in legal terms.

[QUOTE=matt000024;52869723]To clarify what I'm saying, I think yeah it's terrible that any dickhead can ruin someone's life and lead to their death like this, but what will banning it for most people do? [/QUOTE] One of the biggest reasons it's on the rise is just how easy it is to obtain.

He is only dead because she threw acid at him. He died as a result of it. She murdered him.

[QUOTE=matt000024;52869723]To clarify what I'm saying, I think yeah it's terrible that any dickhead can ruin someone's life and lead to their death like this, but what will banning it for most people do? These incidents are heavily publicized because they are relatively rare, think of how many deaths come from things legal in most sane places like cars, alcohol, knives, and guns? [editline]8th November 2017[/editline] Yeah, I think the murder charge is kind of a dumb move. A crime like this should have the weight of a murder charge anyway, but upgrading to murder means the case will likely be harder to win (unsure if you guys have double jeopardy or not tbh) and will set a bad precedent for treatment of euthanasia in legal terms.[/QUOTE] i would argue that using sulfuric acid is worse, because even if they dont die they will be permanently disfigured. permanent disfigurement is life altering and in some cases worse than death. it shouldnt even be accessible unless you can prove you're ordering it for scientific purposes

[QUOTE=Quiet;52869672]As an amateur chemist, can't wait for another set of compounds to be highly restricted and associated with criminal behavior, thanks to some assholes misusing them. :hammered: EDIT: To explain further, there are already many useful reagents that are unfortunately associated with drug manufacture and terrorism. The basic mineral acids are extremely versatile and necessary for many reactions, and are currently widely available. If they need to be restricted then they definitely should be, but it will unfortunately make amateur chemistry even less approachable than it already is.[/QUOTE] You're allowed to take small amounts home with you from most labs as long as it's reasonable. Obviously not controlled substances such as cyanide or barbituric acid though, but there's pretty much acetone, chloroform, acids, bases and shelves full or chemicals at your disposal. As an amateur chemist, you should know this. Also not murder because there was no intent to kill.

[QUOTE=matt000024;52869723] Yeah, I think the murder charge is kind of a dumb move. A crime like this should have the weight of a murder charge anyway, but upgrading to murder means the case will likely be harder to win (unsure if you guys have double jeopardy or not tbh) and will set a bad precedent for treatment of euthanasia in legal terms.[/QUOTE] Even if she's not guilty of murder, she could still face many years of jail for manslaughter. Edit: I believe there is no intent of murder too.

[QUOTE=LAMB SAUCE;52869763]You're allowed to take small amounts home with you from most labs as long as it's reasonable. Obviously not controlled substances such as cyanide or barbituric acid though, but there's pretty much acetone, chloroform, acids, bases and shelves full or chemicals at your disposal.[/QUOTE] You're assuming much of my situation, I'm a mathematics student. :v:

How does one ban sulfuric acid or any other practical acid? No more draino? Pool acid? Car batteries?

[QUOTE=Quark:;52869739]He is only dead because she threw acid at him. He died as a result of it. She murdered him.[/QUOTE] I would also consider ruining the rest of someone's life pretty damn close to murder as it is.

[QUOTE=duno;52869804] Car batteries?[/QUOTE] uhh, lead acid only melts clothes. there's more danger in car batteries from a hydrogen gas buildup than the acid itself.

Perhaps we should only allow a limit as to how much acid can be put into a container.

[QUOTE=MrBunneh;52869840]uhh, lead acid only melts clothes. there's more danger in car batteries from a hydrogen gas buildup than the acid itself.[/QUOTE] Car batteries use pretty concentrated sulfuric acid.

[QUOTE=Megadave;52869847]Perhaps we should only allow a limit as to how much acid can be put into a container.[/QUOTE] How's that going to stop people from... Pouring it into another container?

I think it's kind of funny that banning certain amounts of acid had become something on the table. The only reason it's being used as much as it is is because other methods aren't as available. So let's pretend you do end up regulating acids, what about strong bases? What's to stop someone from concentrating bleach? Acid attacks are a social problem, and regulating acids isn't going to solve the root of the problem.

You need to deal with the problems that are leading people to gangs, and actually put violent offenders behind bars with great offenses. Also make other methods of gang warfare more accessible, because the reason they are using acid is purely thanks to the fact that other methods are unavailable.

[QUOTE=Quiet;52869780]You're assuming much of my situation, I'm a mathematics student. :v:[/QUOTE] So what you're saying is you're not a chemist, or even an amateur chemist. Normal people should not have access to these chemicals, there is no reason why anyone should experiment outside a lab or education facility.

[QUOTE=LAMB SAUCE;52869908]So what you're saying is you're not a chemist, or even an amateur chemist. Normal people should not have access to these chemicals, there is no reason why anyone should experiment outside a lab or education facility.[/QUOTE] You understand a lot of common house hold products have those in them right? Some that have pretty high concentrations such as drain decloggers. Even then those which contain diluted amounts are easy to concentrate.