The Ohio woman accused of stabbing a 3-year-old boy to death in a random attack outside a grocery store was convicted Wednesday on all counts.
Bionca Ellis, 34, faces up to life in prison for the murder of Julian Wood in a Cleveland, Ohio, suburb last year. She was also convicted of wounding Julian’s mother, Margot Wood, in the same attack.
Ellis’ lawyers did not contest the facts of the case but instead argued Ellis was not guilty by reason of insanity. However, a mental health specialist who testified for the prosecution said Ellis knew the difference between right and wrong, yet stabbed the toddler to death anyway.
On June 3, 2024, Ellis stole two knives from a thrift store in North Olmsted, about 13 miles southwest of downtown Cleveland. She then walked to a neighboring Giant Eagle grocery store and followed Margot and Julian Wood into the store, investigators said.
Ellis waited until the Woods departed the store, followed them into the parking lot, then attacked Julian Wood with the knife, cops said. When Margot Wood tried to intervene, Ellis stabbed her, too.
Officers responded to the scene and located Ellis walking nearby with a knife shortly afterward. She was arrested without incident.
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.
