John Brickman Wall, charged with murder in the 2011 death of his ex-wife, will no longer be able to practice as a doctor at least, not until the criminal case against him is resolved.
Wall, 49, is charged in 3rd District Court with first-degree felony counts of murder and aggravated burglary in connection with the alleged slaying of University of Utah researcher Uta von Schwedler at her Sugar House home.
On Wednesday, the pediatrician signed an agreement with the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, giving up his medical license and his ability to write prescriptions until the murder case against him is resolved.
If he is acquitted of the charges or the case is dismissed, his license will automatically be reinstated, the agreement reads.
But if he's found guilty, the suspension will continue until DOPL can hold a hearing.
Von Schwedler, 49, drowned in the bathtub of her Sugar House home on Sept. 27, 2011.
For months, authorities struggled to determine whether the woman's death was murder or suicide.
But expert analysis of the crime scene has revealed a violent struggle and Wall's DNA in the home, which he did not share with his ex-wife, according to charging documents.
Von Schwedler and John Wall had a contentious divorce in 2006 that led to years of custody battles over their four children, which prosecutors have cited as a motive for murder.
The DOPL order states that the suspension of Wall's license is not due to any unprofessional or unlawful conduct, and is not a disciplinary action against the pediatrician.
Wall is expected to be back in court Monday for a scheduling hearing in the homicide case.
jmiller@sltrib.com
Twitter: @jm_miller