A judge has reportedly found Bionca Ellis, the man accused of stabbing 3-year-old Julian Wood to death outside an Ohio store, not competent to stand trial following a medical evaluation.
The decision came during a hearing Friday in Cuyahoga County District Court. WikipediaDespite the ruling, the doctor examining Ellis' case reportedly said there was a “substantial chance” that Ellis could be restored to competency with treatment within the statute of limitations. (Related article: Woman allegedly stabbed toddler to death outside grocery store)
Judge John Russo ordered Ellis to undergo inpatient treatment at Northcoast Behavioral Health and must take prescribed medication, the outlet reported. Ellis will be transferred back to Cuyahoga County Jail if he is deemed competent to face a jury or “unable to be restored to competency,” the outlet reported.
The court ordered a competency evaluation of Ellis in July at the state's request, and Judge Russo ordered a 20-day evaluation following the recommendation of a forensic psychiatrist, according to the media outlet.
According to reports, the 33-year-old Ellis is facing numerous charges, including murder, attempted murder and assault. She is currently being held on $5 million bail, according to the media. Ellis was seen smiling at her first court appearance on June 10, according to the media.
According to WKYC, the case began with an incident that took place in the parking lot of an Ohio store on June 3. Ellis allegedly stabbed Julian and his mother, Margot Wood. Margot survived the attack, but Julian later died from his injuries at a hospital, according to the outlet. Authorities have described the incident as a “random attack.” Police said Ellis did not know either of the victims, the outlet reported.
Ellis had been released from prison three days before the attack, according to the Fox 8 I-Team. Found The investigation is ongoing. Ellis was reportedly released despite judicial concerns over his mental health, according to the outlet. Ellis was reportedly arrested in 2023 and accused of stealing $69 worth of merchandise.
The court reportedly ordered him to contact his probation officer and complete a class, but records show he did neither and a warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest.
Authorities took her into custody on suspicion of violating probation, the outlet reported. Judge Brian Hagan reportedly ordered her release.
After Ellis was charged with murder, the I-Team asked the judge, “What would you do differently in how you handle this case or the next one?”
“There is nothing. I am confident in the way this court handled this matter,” Hagan told the outlet. “We acted according to the letter of the law. There was nothing alarming.”
Senator J.D. Vance, Republican of Ohio Commented In a retweet, he commented on the case in June: “This is not the first time I've heard complaints about this judge. He should resign or voters should remove him from office in the next election,” he wrote.
