CLEVELAND — After hearing a week of testimony, a jury reached a verdict in the case of a toddler who was fatally stabbed in a grocery store parking lot last year.
On Wednesday, Judge John Russo announced the jury found Bionca Ellis guilty on all charges and will be sentenced on Oct. 27.
You can watch Russo read the verdict below:
After the verdict was announced, Julian Wood's parents, Margot and Jared Wood, made a statement to the media.
"We just want to thank everyone for the love and support for our son," Margot Wood said after the verdict was announced. "Everybody that's visited him, commented, sent love, we appreciate you guys so much. This was for him today."
The jury heard closing arguments on Monday and Tuesday, with deliberations starting Tuesday afternoon.
RELATED: Closing arguments in Bionca Ellis trial
Watch the closing arguments below — Warning: The video may contain graphic language and images.
Ellis, was indicted by a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury last year and charged with aggravated murder, two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault, two counts of attempted murder, tampering with evidence and aggravated theft for the June 3, 2024, attack that killed the toddler Julian Wood and left his mother injured.
RELATED: Suspect in 3-year-old's stabbing at North Olmsted grocery store parking lot indicted
She’s been held in jail on a $5 million bond since her arrest.
Ellis’s trial date was repeatedly delayed as she was standoffish in court and ordered to have several mental health assessments to determine if she was competent to stand trial.
RELATED: Arraignment took three attempts as Ellis refused to cooperate
Both the defense and prosecution presented opening arguments on Oct. 6.
Neither side disputed the facts of what happened on June 3, 2024. But the defendant's mental health was at the heart of the case.
RELATED: Trial starts in case of woman accused of stabbing toddler to death
On Oct. 7, eyewitnesses took the stand to recount what they saw that afternoon. The state spent the first day of witness testimony sharing videos, images, and 911 calls to establish a timeline and details about how the incident unfolded.
RELATED: First witnesses testify in Bionca Ellis murder trial
On Oct. 8, the child's mother, Margot Wood, testified, stating that she had had no connection or previous encounters with Ellis before June 3, 2024, and the attack was sudden and came out of nowhere.
RELATED: Mother of toddler killed in 2024 stabbing testifies in Bionca Ellis trial
Ellis’s defense attorneys entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. They previously said their client’s behavior, medical history and interactions during and after the incident showed she was insane during the attack.
