CLEVELAND, Ohio - Attorneys traded opening statements Monday afternoon in the murder trial of a Cleveland woman who says she was insane when she stabbed a toddler to death last year.

Bionca Ellis’ trial on aggravated murder, attempted murder and felonious assault charges began in earnest before Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John Russo after jury selection concluded.

Cuyahoga County prosecutors say Ellis, 34, followed Margot Wood and her son Julian, 3, out of a Giant Eagle store in North Olmsted and attacked them in the parking lot on June 3, 2024. Julian died, while his mother suffered injuries to her shoulder.

Ellis’ attorneys, Fernando Mack and Carlos Johnson, did not dispute that Ellis killed Julian. They intend to prove during trial that Ellis’ schizophrenia prevented her fro

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