CLEVELAND, Ohio — Jury selection began Wednesday for a Cleveland woman charged in the fatal stabbing of a 3-year-old boy in a North Olmsted grocery store parking lot.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John Russo said it could take several days to seat a panel for the trial of Bionca Ellis, 34, who is accused of stabbing Julian Wood to death. Ellis also stabbed the child’s mother, Margot Wood, during the June 3, 2024, attack.

Ellis has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of aggravated murder and felonious assault.

On Wednesday, court officials distributed questionnaires to prospective jurors. The selection process will continue Thursday and is expected to extend into next week. Opening statements will follow once a jury is seated.

Surveillance video showed Ellis enterin

See Full Page