E. Kruzick

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual hearing for an accused previously found unfit to stand trial on charges of criminal harassment and invitation to sexual touching.

The accused, who has a moderate intellectual disability, resides in a specialized hospital unit.

The Board accepted the joint submission and psychiatric evidence that the accused remains permanently unfit to stand trial.

Considering the paramount need to protect the public and the accused's ongoing need for 24-hour support and risk management, the Board maintained the current detention order with permission to live in approved supervised community accommodation.

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

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for arson, had been subject to a detention order.

While the treating psychiatrist and the Hospital recommended continuing the detention order due to recent gambling and rule breaches, the majority of the Board found that the accused's risks were well-managed at her transitional residence.

Noting her five years of sobriety and overall positive trajectory, the majority ordered a Conditional Discharge.

A dissenting member would have maintained the detention order.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, had his community privileges restricted after an unauthorized leave of absence during which he consumed cannabis and was found in a psychotic state.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered a continuation of his detention disposition, concluding that he requires the structured monitoring of the hospital.

The Board also held that the hospital's restriction of his liberties was not significant in the circumstances, but rather a necessary and least restrictive day-to-day management of his risk.

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

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and criminal harassment.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to schizophrenia and substance use disorder.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order, noting that while the accused has made progress, he requires close monitoring and supervision to manage his risk.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for sexual interference and breach of probation.

The accused, who has a moderate intellectual disability and complex medical needs, has been detained in hospital since 1996.

Based on a joint submission and expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing disposition, detaining the accused at the forensic hospital with privileges for supervised community living.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault after stabbing her partner.

At her initial disposition hearing before the Ontario Review Board, the hospital and Crown sought a Detention Order, while the accused sought a Conditional Discharge.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to ongoing psychotic symptoms, mood lability, and a history of medication non-compliance.

The Board concluded that a Detention Order is the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to manage her risk, as the Mental Health Act would be insufficient to ensure her continued treatment and supervision.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial disposition hearing for the accused, who had been found unfit to stand trial on multiple charges including aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

Based on psychiatric evidence indicating cognitive difficulties and a history of seizures, the Board found the accused remains unfit to stand trial.

The Board ordered a detention order at the hospital with specified privileges, including the ability to live in an approved community residence, in accordance with a joint recommendation.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm.

The accused, who has diagnoses of schizophrenia and substance use disorders, had made some progress but continued to experience psychotic symptoms and engage in substance use.

All parties jointly recommended the continuation of the detention order.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation, finding that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and that a detention order at the hospital is necessary and appropriate.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and restriction of liberty hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon and other offences.

The accused, diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder, had been living in the community but was re-hospitalized after breaching residence rules and exhibiting disruptive, delusional behaviour.

Relying on expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused remained a significant threat to public safety due to poor insight, medication non-compliance, and cannabis use.

The Board ordered the continuation of the Detention Disposition and found the hospital's restriction of the accused's liberty was warranted and the least restrictive decision available.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial disposition hearing for the accused, who was previously found unfit to stand trial on charges of assault and failure to comply with a probation order.

Based on the hospital report and expert testimony, the Board found that the accused remains unfit to stand trial due to schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and alcohol use disorder.

The Board ordered that the accused be subject to a Detention Order within the Secure Forensic Unit of the hospital, with specific privileges and prohibitions, including indirectly supervised community passes.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for arson causing damage to property and was remitted to the Ontario Review Board for an initial disposition hearing.

The Board found that the accused, who has schizophrenia and a history of substance use, continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his lack of insight and risk of psychotic decompensation.

The Board ordered a Detention Disposition with discretionary privileges allowing the accused to live in the community with his parents, subject to conditions including a prohibition on possessing explosive or incendiary substances, but declined to impose a driving prohibition.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for assault and carrying a concealed weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been living in the community under a Conditional Discharge.

Based on joint submissions and psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused continued to pose a significant threat to public safety due to her severe mental illness and need for supervised medication compliance.

The Board ordered the continuation of the Conditional Discharge with an amendment allowing her to move to a new high-support housing facility.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for mischief, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for an annual review of her disposition.

The hospital and the Attorney General sought a continuation of her Detention Order, arguing she remained a significant threat to public safety due to her severe, treatment-refractory psychotic disorder, substance use, and history of unauthorized leaves.

The accused agreed with the finding and disposition, seeking only an amendment to the community living clause.

Applying the Winko test, the Board found the accused remained a significant threat and ordered the continuation of the Detention Order with the requested amendment, concluding it was the least onerous and least restrictive disposition available.

The hospital requested an early Review Board hearing and a Detention Order for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for assault.

The accused had been on a Conditional Discharge but stopped taking his medication, decompensated, and eloped to Quebec where he was found homeless.

Upon return to the hospital, he was highly oppositional and required a Code White for medication administration.

The Board found that the Conditional Discharge was no longer effective and that a Detention Order was the least restrictive disposition necessary to manage the risk to public safety and ensure stabilization.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to determine whether the accused's liberty was significantly restricted when he was admitted to the hospital.

The accused, who is subject to a disposition after being found not criminally responsible, voluntarily presented himself to the hospital due to a deterioration in his mental health.

The Board found that the admission was voluntary and did not constitute a restriction of liberty.

In the alternative, the Board held that any restriction was necessary, appropriate, and the least onerous measure.

The current disposition was maintained.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for robbery and theft.

The accused suffers from schizophrenia and methamphetamine use disorder.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to ongoing symptoms, history of noncompliance, and recent elopement from the hospital.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order, with the addition of a privilege allowing for residence in a 24/7 supervised community accommodation within the hospital's catchment area.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia, substance use disorder, and borderline personality disorder.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to the risk of medication non-adherence and substance relapse without structured support.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current discharge on conditions, with the removal of the condition requiring the accused to accept treatment on consent.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for assault and mischief.

The accused, who was self-represented, chose not to attend the hearing.

The Board proceeded in his absence, noting the appointment of amicus curiae to safeguard his interests.

Relying on psychiatric evidence that the accused suffers from schizophrenia, lacks insight, and poses a moderate risk of future violence, the Board found he continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of his detention at the forensic psychiatric hospital.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and mischief.

The accused has a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and a lengthy criminal history.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his history of non-compliance, substance use, and rapid decompensation when granted increased community access.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order at the hospital with no changes to its terms and conditions.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for first-degree murder.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been residing in a transitional supportive housing program and making slow progress toward independent living.

The treating psychiatrist testified that the accused continues to pose a notable risk to public safety if left unsupervised, due to a history of medication non-adherence and symptom relapse.

The Board unanimously accepted the psychiatric evidence, finding that the accused remains a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention disposition, concluding it was the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to manage the risk.