The HIV Came Into Question

During the trial of Berlinah, many instances would be sited about just how bad their relationship had gotten. Berlinah had supposedly accused Mark of being a prostitute, which his dad denied completely. When the lawyer’s asked Mark’s dad about the HIV, he replied, “I knew he was HIV positive and took medication for that, which was entirely under control. His health and mental health was 100 per cent.” And while Mark’s promiscuity came into question, nothing was really mentioned about Berlinah’s having HIV too.

An Act Of Pure Evil

During the trial as well, the judge would tell her “Your intention was to burn, disfigure and disable Mark Van Dongen so that he would not be attractive to any other woman. It was an act of pure evil.” The jury would give her a life sentence with a minimum of only 12 years, which many believed was not punishment enough for her crime. And while they tried to blame Mark’s death on her actions, it was said, “While the jury has concluded Wallace’s actions did not amount to murder, we felt it was the right thing to do to ask them to consider the charge based on the evidence.”