Cleveland Woman Found Unfit for Trial in 3-Year-Old's Stabbing

Judge rules Bionca Ellis must remain hospitalized indefinitely
By Newser.AI Read our AI policy
Posted Sep 16, 2024 12:04 PM CDT
Cleveland Woman Found Unfit for Trial in 3-Year-Old's Stabbing
Bionca Ellis, 32, center right, appears in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas court, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio, in the stabbing death of 3-year-old Julian Wood in a grocery store parking lot in June.   (Cory Shaffer/Cleveland.com via AP, File)

A Cleveland woman accused of fatally stabbing a 3-year-old boy in a grocery cart and injuring his mother outside an Ohio supermarket has been declared incompetent to stand trial. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John Russo ruled that Bionca Ellis, 33, will remain hospitalized indefinitely, though she may face trial if her condition improves. Ellis's bail was set at $5 million after the incident, and her trial was initially scheduled for December 9.

According to authorities, Ellis followed Julian Wood and his mother, Margot Wood, from inside the Giant Eagle grocery store in North Olmsted on June 3 to the parking lot, where she attacked. Margot Wood was loading groceries into her vehicle when Ellis allegedly approached with a knife, fatally stabbing the boy twice and wounding Margot in the shoulder when she tried to protect her son. The attack was reportedly unprovoked, and authorities have not identified any motive, considering it a random act of violence. Ellis's public defender has not commented on the case. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)

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