Fort Lauderdale, Florida – A Florida political candidate is facing charges after allegedly stabbing her husband and teenage daughter in what police describe as a religious-fueled attack. Julie Mitchell, a 54-year-old candidate for a village council seat, was found covered in blood and armed with a large kitchen knife when police arrived at her Fort Lauderdale suburban home. The incident took place on Thursday morning, and Mitchell reportedly believed that her family members were “the devil.”
When police arrived at the scene, Mitchell was actively resisting arrest and even struck two officers who were attempting to control her. Her teenage daughter, who was crying hysterically, was found outside the home with a laceration to her head. Mitchell’s husband was discovered inside the house with a stab wound to his upper left arm. All three individuals were transported to the hospital for treatment.
Throughout the incident, Mitchell continued her verbal outbursts, with statements including, “God still loves the world and he gave us his only son.” Additionally, Mitchell allegedly told authorities that Satan resided in her home and that her husband, daughter, and their dog were the devil. She claimed to have sodomized her husband and stabbed her daughter in the heart. When asked about the wellbeing of her family members, Mitchell believed they were both dead.
At the time of the incident, Mitchell was one of two candidates running for a seat on the five-member Tequesta Village Council in the upcoming March 19 election. Although it is uncertain whether the charges will impact her candidacy, a village spokesperson stated that there have been no reports of any changes from Mitchell’s camp in regards to her candidacy. Mitchell has worked as a neighborhood services coordinator for the town of Jupiter for nearly two decades.
Mitchell has been booked without bail into the Palm Beach County Jail on four counts of aggravated battery and two counts of resisting an officer with violence. Her next court date is scheduled for February 20.