Приговоренная к пожизненному заключению за убийство ребенка Бьонка Эллис выйдет на апелляцию

Bionca Ellis, woman convicted of killing toddler at Giant Eagle, back in court for appeal CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Bionca Ellis, the woman convicted of killing a toddler at the North Olmsted Giant Eagle, will be back in court on Tuesday morning for her appeal. On Oct. 27, 2025, Ellis was sentenced to life in prison with no parole for killing 3-year-old Julian Wood. Her trial began Oct. 6, 2025, before Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge John Russo, and on Oct. 15, 2025, a jury found her guilty of all nine charges. According to court documents, her attorney is now arguing: - The trial court improperly permitted an expert witness to misstate the legal standard for the insanity defense. - The court failed to cure the State’s “accountability” statement during closing arguments, which allegedly misled the jury during deliberations. - She received ineffective assistance of counsel. Oral arguments will begin at 10:30 a.m. The defense called out expert witness, Dr. Stephen Nofsinger. Claiming the psychiatrist gave the jury a narrow view. “The expert represented by the state of Ohio said no less than 12 times, possibly more that, that wasn’t the standard,” the defense said. “That the actual standard which Ms. Ellis should be judged was that she had to believe affirmatively that her conduct was right.” Prosecutors said the say the prior defense did the best they could while also defending their expert witness. “Dr. Nofsinger walks through methodically, are there indications that she was hearing voices? No. She is not talking to herself,” prosecution argued. “She is acting in a calculated manner. She is concealing the knife behind her back.” Julian and his mother, Margot Wood, were attacked in the parking lot of the North Olmsted Giant Eagle on June 3, 2024. Julian died from his injuries, and Margot was injured while trying to pull him from the grocery cart. North Olmsted police arrested Ellis minutes after the stabbing. She was still carrying the kitchen knife used. Police called the stabbing a “random” attack, with Ellis and the Wood family not knowing each other. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said Ellis stole two knives from the Volunteers of America Thrift Store, next door to Giant Eagle. She then walked into Giant Eagle, where prosecutors said she spotted the victims walking out and followed them. In October 2024, Julian’s parents, Jared and Margot Wood, filed a lawsuit against Giant Eagle, alleging the company had put profits over safety. Justice for Julian: Remembering Julian Wood Loved ones said Julian is remembered for his cheesy smile and rambunctious attitude. He loved dinosaurs and school. Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.