C. Murray

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for two counts of second-degree murder.

The accused had recently assaulted his attending psychiatrist with a concealed weapon and remained in seclusion, refusing to engage with treatment staff while researching knives on the internet.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties and the evidence of the attending psychiatrist, finding that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order at the high-secure provincial forensic program without change.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment and other offences.

The hospital, the Attorney General, and the accused jointly submitted that the accused no longer posed a significant threat to public safety.

Relying on the hospital report and the testimony of the accused's treating physician, the Board found that the accused's mental health was stable, he was compliant with treatment, and he had robust protective factors.

The Board concluded the accused no longer represented a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered an absolute discharge.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for mischief endangering life, was subject to an annual review of his Detention Order by the Ontario Review Board.

The Board heard evidence from his treating psychiatrist that his schizophrenia and substance use disorders are currently in remission, and he has recently transitioned to community living.

However, he remains a significant threat to public safety due to his history of violence, substance use, and risk of medication non-compliance.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties to continue the Detention Order with a slight reduction in reporting frequency, finding that a Conditional Discharge would not provide sufficient oversight at this early stage of his community reintegration.

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

The accused suffers from treatment-resistant schizophrenia and a substance use disorder.

While the accused demonstrated significant improvement, including longer periods of abstinence and better engagement with her treatment team, she continues to lack insight into her illness and the need for medication.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of her detention disposition, with amendments to allow for extended community passes and the possession of a lighter or matches for smoking.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's Disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for aggravated assault.

The accused, diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder with Catatonic Features, had transitioned well to community living and remained medication compliant.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his history of violence and risk of decompensation if non-compliant with medication.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge with strict conditions, including a residence requirement, travel restrictions, and a treatment condition, to safely manage his risk in the community.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for sexual assault and other offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and severe cannabis use disorder, requested a transfer to a different hospital and the removal of a cannabis prohibition from his disposition.

Relying on expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, as his cannabis use exacerbates his psychotic symptoms and increases his risk of violence.

The Board maintained the detention order and the cannabis prohibition, but granted the accused's request to transfer his care to St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his schizophrenia, history of substance use, and recent incidents of physical aggression and elopement.

The Board ordered that the accused remain subject to a detention order at the hospital, but amended his privileges to include community living approval to facilitate future housing waitlists and removed restrictions on his electronic communications.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for common nuisance, forcible confinement, assaulting a peace officer, and mischief.

At his initial Ontario Review Board hearing, the panel found that he continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his diagnosis of schizophrenia, history of violence, and noncompliance with medication.

The panel ordered his detention at the High Secure Provincial Forensic Program at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial hearing to determine whether the accused, who was previously found unfit to stand trial on a charge of aggravated assault, remained unfit.

The accused suffers from schizoaffective disorder and experiences fixed delusions regarding the court process, including beliefs that the trial judge was involved in a conspiracy against him.

Applying the Bharwani test, the Board found that the accused's delusions prevented him from having a reality-based understanding of the proceedings, rendering him unfit to stand trial.

The Board ordered a Detention Order at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, finding it to be the least restrictive and most appropriate disposition given the accused's need for treatment and anticipated resistance to medication.

The accused was found unfit to stand trial on charges of indecent act and disobeying a court order.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial hearing to determine fitness and disposition.

Relying on the evidence of the treating psychiatrist, the Board found that the accused remains unfit to stand trial due to Schizoaffective Disorder, bipolar type, and continues to pose a significant risk for violence.

The Board ordered a detention order at the High Secure Provincial Forensic Program.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory review of the accused's disposition.

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and other offences.

The Board heard evidence that the accused continues to suffer from treatment-refractory schizophrenia, lacks insight into his illness, and refuses to accept his treating psychiatrist.

The Board concluded that the accused remains a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered that he remain subject to a Detention Disposition with no change to the current terms.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for various assault and police assault charges.

The accused suffers from schizophrenia, substance use disorder, and panic disorder.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to ongoing symptoms, undeveloped insight, and a significant substance use history.

The Board ordered a continuation of the Detention Disposition with amendments to the community living clause to include culturally relevant indigenous-based supervised accommodations.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial disposition hearing for an accused found unfit to stand trial on historical sexual offences.

The accused suffers from a major neurocognitive disorder (likely Fahr's Disease) with severe cognitive impairment and behavioural disturbances.

Applying the fitness test from R. v. Bharwani, the Board found the accused remains unfit to stand trial as he cannot understand the proceedings or communicate with counsel.

The Board ordered a conditional discharge, requiring the accused to reside in a supervised long-term care facility.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for assault and mischief, appeared before the review board for an annual disposition review.

The board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to treatment-refractory schizophrenia, limited insight, and vulnerability to substance use relapse.

The board ordered a detention disposition with conditions including 24/7 supervised accommodation and an abstinence clause.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for various offences, was subject to a restriction of liberty by the hospital after receiving illicit substances thrown over a fence by a minor.

The accused's privileges were reduced to Level 0 and he experienced multiple seclusions due to ongoing substance use and agitation.

The accused also requested a trial off medication to determine if his psychosis was primary or substance-induced.

The Ontario Review Board found that the restriction of liberty was necessary, appropriate, and represented the least onerous and least restrictive measure available.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for attempted murder.

The accused, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder, had been living in the community and was fully compliant with her treatment regimen.

The Board accepted the unanimous clinical evidence that her mental state was stable and she no longer posed a real risk of physical or psychological harm.

Finding that the accused no longer represented a significant threat to the safety of the public, the Board ordered an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for violent offences including assault causing bodily harm.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, had required hospitalization during the reporting year due to psychiatric decompensation.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his fragile mental health and lack of full insight.

The Board ordered a Detention Disposition with amendments, including the removal of an abstinence clause to test the accused's commitment to sobriety in the community.

The accused, previously found NCR for various offences including assault with a weapon, was readmitted to the hospital after testing positive for cocaine while living in the community.

The hospital restricted his liberty, triggering a mandatory Review Board hearing.

The Board found that the initial and ongoing restriction of liberty was necessary and appropriate for public safety, as the accused lacked insight into how substance use impacts his mental disorder and risk level, and required a sustained period of abstinence before entering a residential treatment program.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to make an initial disposition for the accused, who was previously found unfit to stand trial on charges including break and enter and assault.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, refused medication and exhibited persistent grandiose and persecutory delusions.

Applying the test for fitness to stand trial, the Board found the accused remained unfit as he could not understand the proceedings or meaningfully communicate with counsel.

The Board ordered a Detention Order with conditions, including a no-contact provision, prioritizing public safety.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and failing to stop for police.

The accused's treating psychiatrist testified that the accused's primary diagnosis may be substance-induced rather than bipolar disorder, and that substance use remains a primary trigger for relapse.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties and the uncontroverted expert evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order with additional privileges for hospital/ground access and indirectly supervised community access.