LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The woman accused of luring Lake County deputies to her home in a deadly ambush in 2024 sat quietly in a courtroom for six hours Friday, as three psychologists testified about her ability to stand trial.
Julie Sulpizio is the only living suspect in the ambush that left Master Deputy Bradley Link dead. Two other deputies survived their injuries.
[TIMELINE: What exactly happened in Lake County ambush attack of 3 deputies]
Sulpizio’s husband, Michael, and her two adult daughters were found dead with self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
In a marathon hearing reviewing her competency Friday, the defense argued that Sulpizio was not fit to stand trial, while the prosecution countered that she should be deemed capable of moving forward.
Sulpizio, in a red and white jail jumpsuit, remained mostly stone-faced throughout the proceedings, although she did appear close to tears at one point. At times, her head would sink as she sat next to her attorneys.
[WATCH: Woman accused in deadly Lake County deputy ambush found competent to stand trial, DCF records show]
Dr. Julie Harper and Dr. Yenys Castillo testified on behalf of the defense, stating that based on their respective evaluations, they believe Sulpizio continues to suffer from psychosis.
“I find that she is not demonstrating sufficient capacity to proceed,” Dr. Harper said. “Particularly in her areas to assist you as the defense attorney in building a rational defense.”
The doctors said that Sulpizio has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and dissociative identity disorder, slipping into different personalities during the same conversation.
They recounted that in their respective conversations with Sulpizio, she would alternate between adopting the personas of “Lucifer,” “Michael the Archangel,” and others.
Dr. Castillo said Sulpizio has talked about being able to assume the form of other people in the courtroom.
“She said, ‘Yes, I can jump into the judge, and I can jump into the prosecutor,” Dr. Castillo recalled.
During cross-examination, the prosecution tried to poke holes in the psychologists’ testimony, questioning their credentials and downplaying the severity of Sulpizio’s mental illness.
The last doctor to testify Friday did so on behalf of the prosecution.
Dr. Jason Demery conceded that Sulpizio is mentally ill, but he argued that does not mean she is unfit to stand trial.
“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.”
Demery was referring to Dusky v. United States, the landmark United States Supreme Court case that established criteria to determine whether a defendant is legally competent to stand trial.
Judge Brian Welke had twice previously declared Sulpizio incompetent for trial, but the hearing Friday was held after a Florida Department of Children and Families report earlier this year determined she was indeed fit.
Judge Welk told the defense and prosecution that they have three weeks to file a proposed order. He will then make a ruling on Sulpizio’s competence.