Judge Nancy Margaret Russo announced on June 10 that prosecutors have the option to pursue the death penalty in the case of Bionca Ellis, should she be found guilty.
A bail of $5 million was set for a woman who has been accused of fatally stabbing a 3-year-old boy while he was seated in a grocery cart outside a supermarket parking lot in Ohio. Authorities described the incident as a “random act of violence.”
Bionca Ellis, a 32-year-old resident of Cleveland, Ohio, was indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges including aggravated murder, murder, attempted murder, felonious assault, endangering children, tampering with evidence, and misdemeanor theft, as reported by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ms. Ellis appeared before Judge Nancy Margaret Russo of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court on June 10 and pleaded not guilty to all charges related to the killing of Julian Wood, which took place outside a Giant Eagle supermarket in North Olmsted, Ohio, on June 3.
During the hearing on June 10, Judge Russo also mentioned that prosecutors could opt for the death penalty if Ms. Ellis is convicted.
At the hearing, Julian’s father, Jared Wood, spoke while standing just a few feet away from Ms. Ellis, who had her back turned. Mr. Wood expressed his opposition to granting bail for Ms. Ellis, stating, “I really wish no bail. Period. Or extend it to the maximum limit possible that you can, at the very least. Just do whatever you can to keep this monster behind bars.”
Authorities have described the incident as “heartbreaking.” Ms. Ellis was reportedly inside the Giant Eagle grocery store in North Olmsted when she targeted Julian and his mother, Margot Wood, who were near the entrance and followed them to the parking lot.
Ms. Ellis then attacked the boy with a knife, stabbing him twice in a swift assault that lasted less than five seconds before she walked away. Julian succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, while Ms. Wood received medical treatment for a stab wound to her shoulder, which prosecutors believe she sustained while trying to protect her son during the attack.
“This case is truly devastating. I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the Wood family during this difficult time,” stated Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley in a statement. “As a father, I could not begin to imagine this grief, but I can promise that we will do everything in our power to bring justice for Julian Wood and the Wood family.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
From NTD News
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