In a tragic case that has gripped Ohio, a woman was found guilty of fatally stabbing a 3-year-old boy in an unexpected attack outside a grocery store. On Wednesday, the jury convicted Bionca Ellis on all charges related to the incident.
The 34-year-old now faces the possibility of life imprisonment for the murder of young Julian Wood, which took place in a suburb of Cleveland last year. Her conviction also includes charges for injuring Julian’s mother, Margot Wood, during the same assault.
Throughout the trial, Ellis’s defense team did not dispute the sequence of events but claimed she was not guilty due to insanity. Despite this, a mental health expert for the prosecution testified that Ellis was aware of her actions, distinguishing between right and wrong, yet proceeded to commit the crime.
On June 3, 2024, Ellis reportedly took two knives from a thrift shop in North Olmsted, situated roughly 13 miles southwest of Cleveland’s downtown. Investigators revealed she then headed to a nearby Giant Eagle supermarket, where she began to follow Margot and Julian Wood inside.
After the Woods exited the store, Ellis allegedly pursued them to the parking lot and attacked Julian Wood with one of the knives, according to police reports. When Margot Wood attempted to protect her son, Ellis turned the knife on her as well.
Law enforcement quickly responded to the distress call and found Ellis walking nearby, still armed with a knife. She was apprehended without further incident, authorities reported.
Ellis was convicted on one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of felony assault, one count of child endangerment and one count of misdemeanor theft. She will be sentenced on Oct. 27.
