CLEVELAND — 33-year-old Bionca Ellis -- the woman accused of killing 3-year-old Julian Wood in a double stabbing outside of a Giant Eagle in North Olmsted -- was back in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday morning where Judge John J. Russo revealed the recommendation from a forensic psychiatrist regarding her competency to stand trial.
“Their finding is a recommendation that you be referred, ma’am, for an up to 20-day inpatient competency assessment at Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare," Judge Russo announced. “Specifically, a fuller determination about her competency to stand trial may be made in a more lengthy evaluation with 24-hour observation.”
This determination came after a competency hearing was first ordered for Ellis back on July 16.
Judge Russo, who noted there's a three to four week backlog for Northcoast taking new patients, also scheduled an attorney conference for 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 15 to discuss the findings should they be complete by that date.
Ellis sat quietly throughout the hearing, only saying, "Hello, beautiful," while looking toward the back of the courtroom once the proceedings wrapped.
TRIAL DATE AND CHARGES
Court records show Ellis is due for a final pretrial at 9 a.m. on Nov. 7. Her trial is then scheduled to start the next month on Dec. 9 at 9 a.m.
Ellis is being held on a $5 million bond after previously pleading 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 misdemeanor theft
During the initial hearing, which was held back on June 10, Ellis was seen smiling at times while the judge discussed the case.
You can watch that entire arraignment as it unfolded:
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.
As police continue their investigation, they have said it appears this was “a random act of violence” as Ellis had no prior interactions with the victims before the stabbing.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THIS CASE
- Bionca Ellis in court: Competency evaluation ordered for woman accused of killing 3-year-old Julian Wood in stabbing outside North Olmsted Giant Eagle
- Bionca Ellis back in court: Woman accused of killing 3-year-old Julian Wood in double stabbing outside Giant Eagle in North Olmsted
- Bond set at $5 million for Bionca Ellis: Woman accused of killing 3-year-old Julian Wood in stabbing outside North Olmsted Giant Eagle
- 'Keep this monster behind bars': Father of Julian Wood speaks out in court as suspect charged in his 3-year-old son's death faces judge
- Photos: Community holds memory line for 3-year-old boy killed in double stabbing outside North Olmsted Giant Eagle
- Newly released surveillance video shows moments leading up to fatal stabbing of 3-year-old boy in North Olmsted
- Suspect accused of stabbing, killing 3-year-old boy at Giant Eagle in North Olmsted indicted