Crime House Daily – First Watch: Twisted Trial of Bianca Ellis: Pleads INSANITY after Murdering Toddler
Date: October 13, 2025
Host: Katie Ring

Episode Overview

Today's First Watch episode dives into two headline-grabbing cases:

1. The ongoing trial of Bianca Ellis in Cleveland, Ohio, who is accused of the random and brutal murder of 3-year-old Julian Wood and has entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
2. The case of Gonzalo Leon Jr. in Houston, Texas, facing murder charges for fatally shooting 11-year-old Julian Guzman after a "ding dong ditch" prank.

Host Katie Ring provides key background on both stories, current legal developments, and analysis of the challenges facing the courts, families, and communities touched by these crimes.

Case 1: The Twisted Trial of Bianca Ellis

Timestamps: 00:44 – 12:04

Case Summary & Timeline

• Incident (06/03/2024):

  • In the parking lot of the North Olmsted Giant Eagle, Cleveland, Bianca Ellis allegedly stabbed 3-year-old Julian Wood and his mother, Margot Wood, in an apparently random attack ([04:47]).
  • Julian, called "Juju" by loved ones, died from his injuries; Margot survived.

• Investigation & Arrest:

  • Ellis was found nearby by police, still carrying the kitchen knife.
  • No apparent motive; "Bianca had no prior interactions with Margot and Julian and there hadn’t been any conflict inside the store" ([05:50]).
  • Ellis had minor prior convictions (non-violent).

Key Developments

• Court Appearances:

  • At arraignment, Ellis appeared unresponsive and confused.
  • Judge Nancy Margaret Russo read the indictment aloud when Ellis declined to acknowledge it ([07:40]).
  • Her public defender mentioned possible mental health issues and questions about medication.

• Competency Hearings:

  • On July 16, 2024, Ellis was ordered to undergo a forensic psychiatric evaluation ([08:56]).
  • Initially found not competent to stand trial but with potential for restoration.
  • By February 3, 2025, she was deemed competent after treatment ([12:04]).

Legal Strategy

• Insanity Plea:
  • Defense shifts plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, focusing on Ellis’s mental state during the crime, not her understanding of trial proceedings ([12:04]).
  • Katie Ring clarifies:

    “Competency is all about whether a defendant understands what’s going on at their trial, while insanity tackles what their state of mind was during the crime itself.” ([12:26])

Community & Victim Impact

• Mural painted honoring Julian — a green dinosaur, his favorite — on a building near the crime scene ([06:58]).
• Katie Ring emphasizes the “completely random” and “brutal” nature of the crime, noting its impact on community safety sentiments.

Notable Moments & Quotes

• Katie Ring (on the shock):

  "What happened in that Cleveland parking lot shocked the entire nation. Not just for its brutality, but because it appeared to be completely random." ([01:18])

• On mental illness and trial process:

  "Something isn’t right with Bianca. So when she comes back to court... the state requests to have her sent to a forensic psychiatrist." ([08:56])

Next Steps

• Trial is actively underway as of this episode.
• Host promises ongoing updates as the trial unfolds, especially regarding the outcome of the insanity defense.

Case 2: Gonzalo Leon Jr. & the "Ding Dong Ditch" Shooting

Timestamps: 12:04 – 23:56

Case Summary & Timeline

• Incident (08/30/2025):
  • 11-year-old Julian Guzman and his cousin played “ding dong ditch” at Gonzalo Leon Jr.’s home in Houston, Texas ([12:04]).
  • After repeated doorbell pranks, Leon allegedly waited with a pistol, chased the boys, fired a warning shot, then shot Julian in the back. Julian died the next day ([13:47]).

Case Developments

• Initial questioning of Leon, but he wasn’t arrested immediately; police later arrest him three days post-shooting at a La Quinta hotel with 20 guns found at his home ([19:02]).

• Leon indicted on first-degree murder, injury to a child, and aggravated assault charges.

  • “These last two charges have been a point of contention... since these charges require less evidence for a conviction than murder” ([19:16]).

• Bond Issues:

  • Defense challenged bond, citing misinformation about Leon’s record, but judge stood firm ([19:38]).

• Evidentiary Disputes:

  • Defense alleges evidence (body cam, cell phone footage) still outstanding.
  • Dispute over legality of phone seizure; judge will not rule on returning phone ([19:51]).

• Trial Timeline:

  • Leon demands speedy trial; proceedings and discovery are moving rapidly, with next hearing set for October 21 ([21:35]).

Notable Moments & Quotes

• On escalating from prank to tragedy:

  “[Julian] falls to the ground crying in pain and calls out for help, saying he can’t move. His cousin thinks Julian’s been paralyzed so he starts to drag him away... the shooter... walks back into his house.” ([14:21])

• Katie Ring (on legal complexity):

  "This case may seem cut and dry, but as you can see, with all of the legal wrangling... there should be a lot more information coming out." ([22:34])

Additional Updates

• Tinder Swindler Update:
  Quick update on Simon Leviev (the "Tinder Swindler")’s latest arrest and pending Night Watch deep dive ([04:47]).

Memorable Quotes

• Katie Ring on judicial prudence:

  "We aim to inform, not to decide guilt or innocence. So everyone mentioned is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law." ([01:58])

• On the disturbing randomness of crime:

  “It was supposed to be a quick trip to the grocery store, a mom, her son and a cart full of groceries. But within moments of stepping outside, their world was torn apart...” ([01:18])

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------| | 00:44 | News update: Bianca Ellis arraignment and charges| | 04:47 | Start of in-depth coverage of Cleveland case | | 12:04 | Legal analysis: competency and insanity pleas | | 13:47 | Houston case introduction: shooting after prank | | 19:02 | Arrest, indictment, and bond issues on Leon case | | 21:35 | Evidence debate and speedy trial demands | | 22:34 | Host commentary on legal wrangling |

Tone

Katie Ring maintains a somber, analytical, and compassionate tone throughout, providing context, emphasizing the legal process, and reflecting on the unpredictable tragedy of these cases.

Conclusion

Today's Crime House Daily First Watch delivers rich updates on two major cases, with insightful breakdowns of the law, empathy for victims, and commitment to staying current with each story’s fast-moving developments. Katie Ring ensures listeners are well-informed, keeping a sharp focus on facts, process, and the pursuit of justice.

“You stay curious, and I’ll stay on the case. See you next time.” – Katie Ring ([23:54])