C. Flanagan

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorder, was currently detained at a hospital with community privileges.

The treating psychiatrist testified that the accused remained hypomanic and required further stabilization before transitioning to community living.

The Board found that the accused continued to pose a significant threat to public safety due to her major mental illness, history of unreliable treatment adherence, and risk of relapse.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing detention disposition with an amendment to her community reporting conditions.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the restriction of liberty imposed on an NCR accused by the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

Following an incident where the accused assaulted four staff members, he was transferred to a secure forensic unit and placed in seclusion.

The Board applied the framework from R. v. M.L.C. and found that the initial restriction of liberty on June 7, 2025, and its continuation until July 7, 2025, were necessary, warranted, and the least onerous and least restrictive interventions to stabilize his mental state and protect public safety.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon and other offences.

The accused sought an additional privilege for indirectly supervised community access for up to six hours.

The treating psychiatrist opposed this, citing the accused's slow progress, need for significant support, and risk of violence if triggered.

The Board accepted the psychiatric evidence, found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, and ordered the continuation of the existing detention disposition with the same terms and conditions.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault charges.

The accused, diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, experienced a recent decline in mental state following the deaths of his parents.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties, supported by the treating psychiatrist's evidence, that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the accused's detention at the hospital, while expanding his indirectly supervised privileges to the hospital's broader catchment area.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused previously found unfit to stand trial on an assault charge.

The accused, who suffers from severe mental retardation and Down Syndrome, did not attend the hearing.

Based on psychiatric evidence, the Board found that the accused remains permanently unfit to stand trial as she lacks the cognitive capacity to instruct counsel or understand the proceedings.

The Board also concluded that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, requiring a highly supervised group home setting.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing conditional discharge disposition.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and failing to comply with probation.

The accused suffers from schizoaffective disorder, substance use disorders, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to cognitive impairment, risk of medication non-compliance, and a history of violence.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention disposition at the hospital, with the removal of a clause permitting attendance at an indirectly supervised addictions treatment program, as the accused's cognitive issues rendered him unsuitable for such a program.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found permanently unfit to stand trial on charges of assault and second-degree murder.

The accused suffers from Korsakoff Syndrome and requires one-to-one supervision to manage aggressive behaviours.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties and the medical evidence, finding that the accused remains permanently unfit to stand trial and continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order at the hospital as the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for robbery and aggravated assault.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been living in the community since 2022 and recently transitioned to independent living.

The Board found that while the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, his risk could be managed in the community.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge Disposition with conditions including medication adherence, substance abstinence, and a no-contact order.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for sexual assault and assault with a weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorder, had a positive reporting year with no readmissions, full medication adherence, and nearly two years of substance abstinence.

The Board found that while the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, his risk can be adequately managed in the community.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge with conditions including residency at a supported accommodation and abstinence from intoxicants.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for arson.

The accused, diagnosed with delusional disorder, recently began receiving antipsychotic medication after exhausting appeals regarding his incapacity for treatment.

The Board accepted psychiatric evidence that the accused lacks insight into his illness and would likely discontinue medication if discharged, leading to decompensation and increased risk of violence.

The Board concluded the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of his detention disposition with a minor amendment to his privileges.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's conditional discharge disposition.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for assault and assaulting a peace officer, sought an absolute discharge.

The hospital and the Attorney General argued that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety due to his schizoaffective disorder, lack of insight, and stated intention to reduce his antipsychotic medication.

The Board accepted the psychiatric evidence that the accused's risk of violence would increase if he reduced or stopped his medication.

The Board concluded that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered the continuation of the existing conditional discharge.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing and a restriction of liberties hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been readmitted to the hospital multiple times due to suicidal ideation and decompensation in the community.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, continued the detention order, and concluded that the restriction of his liberty was warranted.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for break and enter and aggravated assault.

The accused, diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder with Psychotic Features, had remained generally stable in the community but exhibited a lack of motivation and disengaged from therapeutic counselling.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered the continuation of his conditional discharge, with modifications to remove the treatment clause and reduce reporting frequency to monthly.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and mischief.

The accused is diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and cannabis use disorder.

While the accused has been compliant with treatment and has shown improvement, the Board found that he continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his limited insight, history of substance use, and the potential for decompensation in the community.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Disposition with the addition of non-contact and non-attendance conditions regarding the victim.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for break and enter, assault, and forcible confinement.

At the initial disposition hearing, the Ontario Review Board considered whether the accused posed a significant threat to public safety.

The hospital and the Crown recommended a detention order, while the self-represented accused, assisted by amicus, sought a conditional discharge.

The Board accepted expert evidence that the accused lacks insight into his schizophrenia, has a history of medication non-compliance and substance abuse, and requires a thorough assessment.

The Board concluded that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and imposed a detention order with conditions, including a prohibition on contacting the victim.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for violent offences, was subject to an annual review by the Ontario Review Board.

The hospital and the Attorney General recommended continuing the existing Detention Disposition, while the accused sought a Conditional Discharge and the removal of a condition prohibiting cannabis use.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to their fragile mental state, recent decline in functioning, and lack of insight regarding cannabis use.

The Board concluded that a Conditional Discharge was inappropriate as the hospital requires the ability to rapidly readmit the accused if their mental state decompensates.

The Detention Disposition was continued on the same terms.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for two counts of assault.

The accused, diagnosed with Delusional Disorder and substance use disorders, had recently been discharged to a supported residence in the community and was progressing well.

However, relying on the attending psychiatrist's evidence, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to underdeveloped insight and a high risk of decompensation without Board oversight.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Disposition, finding a Conditional Discharge premature.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorders, had recently been discharged to live in the community with his father.

The accused sought a conditional discharge and permission to use cannabis for pain management.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his limited insight, recent request to discontinue antipsychotic medication, and fixation on using cannabis, which historically destabilized his mental state.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention disposition and amended the conditions to explicitly prohibit the use of cannabis.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault.

The accused had successfully transitioned into the community but suffered from a lack of motivation and had missed some medication doses, leading to a brief hospital readmission.

The Board found that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of his conditional discharge, with the removal of a specific residence clause.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review restrictions of liberty imposed on the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon, and to consider the hospital's request to transfer him to a high-security facility.

The accused had assaulted a co-patient and several staff members, resulting in his placement in seclusion and locked rooms.

The Board found that the restrictions of liberty were necessary and appropriate to protect patients and staff.

The Board also ordered the accused's transfer to the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health, concluding that the current medium-security hospital lacked the specialized dual-diagnosis resources and security required to manage his complex mental disorders and significant risk to public safety.