CLEVELAND — The woman accused of killing 3-year-old Julian Wood outside of Giant Eagle in North Olmsted no longer has a trial date.
Bionca Ellis was supposed to stand trial in December, but during a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John Russo removed her trial date from the docket. He said her case is inactive as she continues to receive treatment from Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare, and that's where the 33-year-old was today when she appeared before the judge over Zoom. She did not speak during proceedings.
In September, Russo ruled Ellis was incompetent to stand trial after she underwent a 20-day mental evaluation. However, it is possible a jury could still end up hearing her case.
"It is the belief of the medical experts that they can bring her back to restoration to competency where she will stand trial with the court regarding the charges on this case," Russo said during Thursday's hearing.
Russo said the next time they meet will be when medical experts have an update on her mental health.
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. She faces a total of 10 charges, including aggravated murder and attempted murder.