LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - Julie Ann Sulpizio, the woman accused of orchestrating a 2024 ambush that killed a Lake County sheriff's deputy and wounded others, has been ruled competent to stand trial despite conflicting opinions from mental health experts.
Sulpizio is charged in connection with the Aug. 2, 2024, shooting that killed Master Deputy Bradley Link. Authorities have said Sulpizio's husband and two adult daughters opened fire on deputies before later dying by suicide.
Murder charge and death penalty case
The backstory:
Sulpizio was arrested Aug. 5, 2024, and indicted later that month on charges including principal to first-degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of principal to attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and multiple battery charges.
Prosecutors filed notice in October 2024 that they intend to seek the death penalty.
Experts disagree on competency
Sulpizio was initially found incompetent to proceed in February 2025 and was committed to Florida State Hospital for treatment.
The hospital later determined she was competent, but her defense attorneys challenged that finding. Sulpizio was recommitted, and the hospital again concluded in March 2026 that she was competent to proceed.
At a June 26 competency hearing, the judge heard testimony from two defense experts, Dr. Julie Harper and Dr. Yenys Castillo, and a state expert, Dr. Jason Demery.
All three agreed Sulpizio suffers from mental illness and that there was no evidence she was faking her symptoms. They disagreed, however, over her diagnosis and whether her mental illness prevents her from rationally understanding the proceedings and assisting her attorneys.
Harper testified that Sulpizio understands the charges and potential punishments but cannot make rational decisions about her defense because of beliefs involving possession and different personalities, or "alters."
Harper testified that Sulpizio experiences delusions involving figures including Lucifer and the Archangel Michael and sometimes believes she or others are possessed. Harper concluded Sulpizio was not competent and estimated that another six to nine months of treatment with antipsychotic medication could be necessary to restore competency.
Castillo reached a similar conclusion, testifying that Sulpizio has a factual understanding of the legal system but lacks a rational understanding of it.
Castillo testified that Sulpizio believes Lucifer or the Archangel Michael could possess a judge, prosecutor or defense attorney. She also testified that Sulpizio experiences significant gaps in her memory.
Testing conducted by Castillo found no indication Sulpizio was malingering.
Demery disagreed with the defense experts, telling the court that Sulpizio was competent despite suffering from mental illness.
He testified that Sulpizio understood the charges against her, the roles of the attorneys, judge and jury, and the adversarial nature of the court process. He also concluded that she could communicate facts about the case.
Demery interpreted some of Sulpizio's beliefs differently from the defense experts. He testified that her beliefs involving demons could represent strongly held religious beliefs rather than delusions.
Judge finds Sulpizio competent
What's next:
The judge considered Sulpizio's behavior during the seven-hour hearing, noting that she remained attentive, made no outbursts and displayed no behavior that would interfere with a trial.
The court ultimately found that although the defendant is mentally ill, the defendant can communicate with attorneys and has a sufficient factual and rational understanding of the charges and court proceedings.
The judge ruled Sulpizio competent to proceed with the criminal case.
The Source: This story was written based on documents filed in the Fifth Circuit Court and previous reporting by FOX 35 News.
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