CLEVELAND — Bionca Ellis -- the 33-year-old woman accused of killing 3-year-old Julian Wood in a double stabbing outside of a Giant Eagle in North Olmsted -- is due back in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for a hearing at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday with Judge John Russo presiding.
We plan to stream her court appearance live inside this story. You can also watch live coverage on our YouTube channel (subscribe here).
Earlier this month, court records revealed that Ellis was ruled incompetent to stand trial following a 20-day evaluation at Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare. The court also noted, however, that "there is substantial probability of restoration to competency within the statutory time frame if provided with a course of treatment."
Ellis was ordered to remain at Northcoast Behavioral to undergo in-patient treatment in an attempt to restore her competency.
"While at Northcoast Behavioral Health the defendant is ordered to cooperate with all prescribed medications, including long-acting injectable anti-psychotic medication," according to court records dated Sept. 13.
Three days later, the court filed an update alleging that Ellis "has refused to take medication prescribed by medical professionals." The docket shows the court has ordered her to take the medications, authorizing the staff at Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare "to administer the medication" if she refuses.
Ellis, who was 32 years old at the time of her arrest, turned 33 on June 11.
CASE DETAILS
North Olmsted police said it was shortly after 3 p.m. on Monday, June 3, when Julian and his mother, 38-year-old Margot Wood, were stabbed in the parking lot of the Giant Eagle in the 27200 block of Lorain Road.
Both were taken to the hospital for treatment, but the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office later said Julian died from his injuries. Margot survived.
When officers responded to the situation, they found the suspect -- identified as Ellis -- walking toward Dover Center Road holding a knife. She was taken into custody without incident.
Police have said it appears this was “a random act of violence” as Ellis had no prior interactions with the victims before the stabbing.
Ellis has pleaded not guilty to the following charges:
- One count of aggravated murder
- Two counts of murder
- Two counts of attempted murder
- Two counts of felonious assault
- One count of endangering children
- One count of tampering with evidence
- One count of theft
