Florida woman, saying she’s God, allegedly ambushed deputy to his death. Then she claimed she can possess the judge at her trial

A judge is currently reviewing whether Julie Sulpizio is mentally competent to stand trial following a lengthy, six-hour courtroom debate in Lake County, Florida. This hearing marks a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings surrounding the August 2024 ambush that resulted in the death of Master Deputy Bradley Link. As reported by Click Orlando, three different psychologists provided conflicting testimonies regarding Sulpizio’s current state of mind. 

The legal battle over her competency hinges on whether she can effectively participate in her own defense. Per the outlet, experts called by the defense, Dr. Julie Harper and Dr. Yenys Castillo, argued that Sulpizio continues to suffer from severe psychosis. According to their evaluations, she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and dissociative identity disorder. 

The doctors noted that she frequently slips into different personalities during conversations, sometimes adopting the personas of Lucifer or Michael the Archangel. Dr. Castillo even recounted that Sulpizio claimed to have the ability to jump into the bodies of others, including the judge and the prosecutor. “I find that she is not demonstrating sufficient capacity to proceed,” Dr. Harper stated. “Particularly in her areas to assist you as the defense attorney in building a rational defense.”

The Prosecution disagreed

Click Orlando reported that, in contrast, the prosecution presented Dr. Jason Demery, who acknowledged that Sulpizio is mentally ill but argued that her condition does not meet the legal threshold for incompetence. He referenced the Supreme Court case Dusky v. United States, which outlines the criteria for determining if a defendant is legally fit to stand trial.

 Dr. Demery maintained that having symptoms of a mental illness is not the same as being incapable of fulfilling the legal requirements for competency. “We also have a person who has some symptoms,” Dr. Demery said. “But my opinion of what we don’t have is somebody who is incapable of fulfilling the six criteria to meet Dusky. In my opinion, she’s competent. Symptoms do not equal incompetence.”

According to FOX 35, the court has previously grappled with this issue, as Judge Brian Welke had twice declared Sulpizio incompetent for trial before a report from the Florida Department of Children and Families suggested she was fit to proceed. The current hearing is strictly focused on her ability to understand the proceedings and aid her legal team, rather than the insanity defense itself.

Sulpizio, who faces charges including first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder, sat in a red and white jail jumpsuit throughout the day. She remained largely stone-faced, though she appeared close to tears at one point and occasionally let her head sink while sitting with her attorneys.

According to Court TV, the case began in August 2024. The situation began with a 911 call where a neighbor claimed that Sulpizio was trespassing on his lawn. He reported that she was “acting religious, accusing them of being sinners.” When Deputies arrived, she allegedly approached them, accusing them of pedophilia and asking, “Who is your God?” The deputies reportedly transferred her to a hospital for evaluation.

The subsequent search of the property led them to find the bodies of two dead dogs, so they approached the house to do a well-being check on Sulpizio’s family. The outlet reported that no one answered their calls, and there was loud banging. Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell stated that Master Deputy Bradley Link was killed after forcing entry into the home, where he was ambushed by Sulpizio’s husband, Michael. 

During the incident, the body-worn camera of the fallen deputy reportedly captured a voice inside the home shouting, “My king will kill all of you. You are Lucifer’s children.” Following the gunfight, the bodies of Michael Sulpizio and the couple’s two adult daughters were discovered inside the residence with self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Investigators later recovered a cache of over 20 firearms, along with body armor and tactical gear, staged in the living room.

Court TV reported that post interviews with Sulpizo, Grinelle stated that her reported plan had been to lure her neighbors home so that her husband could kill them. Even then, she had claimed to be God and held a belief that God spoke through her. Now, the court is wrestling with the question of religious fervour, mental health and criminal law.

Judge Welke has reportedly requested that both the defense and the prosecution file proposed orders within the next three weeks. A final ruling on Sulpizio’s competency is expected in the coming weeks. 

Recently, a gunman allegedly fired at passing cars near Harvard and MIT; however, he was deemed unfit to appear in court. Similarly, A Seattle man who had been deemed unfit to appear in court was caught on surveillance trying to push a man onto train tracks.