CLEVELAND, Ohio – A Cuyahoga County jury began deliberating Tuesday on whether Bionca Ellis killed 3-year-old Julian Wood out of rage or insanity.

The aggravated murder trial against Ellis, 34, wound down as the final witness testified and attorneys traded closing arguments. Ellis is accused of randomly attacking Julian and his mother, Margot Wood, on June 3, 2024, outside a Giant Eagle in North Olmsted.

During the trial before Common Pleas Judge John Russo, attorneys on both sides acknowledged that Ellis has suffered from schizophrenia – a severe mental illness that can include delusions or hallucinations – for more than 10 years.

Following her arrest, she required months of treatment at a state hospital to restore her mental competency to stand trial.

Ellis’ attorneys, Fernando Mack

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