Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — A hearing on the evidence against a Salt Lake pediatrician accused of killing his ex-wife has been set for October.
John Brickman Wall, 49, will have a three-day preliminary hearing in 3rd District Court starting Oct. 1. After the hearing, Judge Robin Reese will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to order Wall to stand trial on charges of murder and aggravated burglary, both first-degree felonies.
Meanwhile, the doctor has agreed to have his medical license suspended while his criminal case is pending.
Wall was charged in the 2011 death of his ex-wife, Uta von Schwedler. Wall is accused of entering von Schwedler's home and killing her.
According to a stipulation and order filed with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Wall agreed to a suspension of his licenses to both practice as a physician as well as to prescribe controlled substances. The suspension will remain in effect for the duration of the criminal case against Wall.
"This stipulation and order is not a finding of unprofessional or unlawful conduct, nor is it a disciplinary action against (Wall)" the order states.
If Wall is acquitted or if the charges are dismissed, the suspension will be automatically lifted. But if Wall pleads guilty or is convicted of the charges, his licenses will remain suspended until their status can be re-evaluated, according to the order.
Von Schwedler's body was discovered in an overflowing bathtub at her home at 1433 E. Harrison Ave. (1625 South), on Sept. 27, 2011. The cause of death was determined by the medical examiner to be drowning. But she also had a "fatal or near fatal amount of Xanax in her body," according to charging documents.
The medical examiner, however, could not determine whether the death was a homicide or suicide. Wall remained a person of interest for two years as the case was investigated. The couple's oldest son, Pelle von Schwedler Wall, now 19, has been vocal in his belief that his father killed his mother.
Wall is currently being held on $1.5 million bail. His attorneys have asked to have the amount reduced to $100,000. A hearing on the issue has been set for next week.
