Giant Eagle murder suspect’s mental health at issue again: I-Team

NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team has found another mental health evaluation scheduled for the woman charged with stabbing and killing a toddler outside a North Olmsted grocery store.

This comes after the I-Team exposed a mental health check not done before the murder.

The case is also leading to discussion statewide about how courts handle mental health cases.

Tuesday, defense lawyers told a Cuyahoga County judge Bionca Ellis is incompetent to stand trial. Prosecutors now want their own test done.

Ellis has been charged with killing Julian Wood, attacking the boy and his mom outside of a Giant Eagle store.

While defense lawyers argue Ellis is incompetent for trial, Cuyahoga County prosecutors want her evaluated by the court psych clinic.

Meanwhile, weeks ago, the I-Team revealed Rocky River Judge Brian Hagan had released Ellis from jail without a mental health check even though a magistrate had called for that. She had been in jail violating probation on a case, and her release happened days before the murder.

“At this point, Ms. Ellis is incompetent and not able to assist in her defense. So, we’re asking the court to have her referred to Northcoast Behavioral, so she can be restored to competency,” defense attorney Fernando Mack said.

But, a county judge agreed she should also be evaluated by the court clinic. He set another hearing next month.

Ellis is pleading not guilty.

What’s happened in this case has led judges and others in the justice system to start taking a hard look at how the system might be improved in how it handles suspects with mental health issues.

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