J. Ferencz

The accused was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder for two counts of arson.

At the initial hearing before the Ontario Review Board, the Board considered whether the accused represented a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board found that the accused's major mental illness, history of noncompliance with treatment, and ongoing substance use posed a significant threat of serious criminality.

The Board concluded that a detention disposition was necessary and appropriate to manage the risk, allowing the hospital to respond quickly to any return of psychotic symptoms.

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

The accused has a history of schizoaffective disorder, substance use, and violence.

While he made recent progress in the hospital setting, he continues to lack insight into his illness and the impact of substance use.

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

A detention disposition was ordered as necessary and appropriate to manage his risk.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for weapons and mischief offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, substance use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder, had made significant progress while living in a supervised transitional group home.

On a joint submission, the Board found the accused continued to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his vulnerability to relapse and rapid decompensation under stress.

The Board ordered a continued detention disposition but removed the condition requiring abstinence from substances, while maintaining testing requirements, to assess his insight as he transitions to less-supervised housing.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial hearing for the accused, who was found not criminally responsible for uttering threats.

The accused has a long history of schizoaffective disorder, substance use, and non-compliance with treatment.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties, finding that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public.

A detention disposition was ordered as necessary and appropriate to manage the risk and support the accused's ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for weapons and break-and-enter offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorder, had recently been readmitted to the hospital due to paranoia but showed rapid improvement after starting clozapine.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties, finding that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety and that a continuation of the Detention Order with amended privileges is the necessary and appropriate disposition.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for offences including uttering threats and assault with intent to resist arrest.

At his initial disposition hearing before the Ontario Review Board, the uncontradicted psychiatric evidence established that his schizophrenia was well-managed in the community through long-acting injectable medication and a Community Treatment Order.

The Board found that the accused did not pose a significant threat to the safety of the public and granted an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for the accused, who was found not criminally responsible for arson endangering human life.

The accused suffers from major mental illness, recently diagnosed as Dissociative Identity Disorder, and has a history of substance abuse and severe childhood trauma.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to ongoing psychotic symptoms, hallucinations, and a recent relapse into substance use while in hospital.

A detention disposition was ordered as necessary and appropriate to manage her risk while she engages in the early phases of psychotherapy.

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

The accused, who suffers from schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, had previously choked his mother due to command hallucinations.

The treating psychiatrist testified that the accused's mental status had significantly improved and his medications were optimized, though he still required the structure of a hospital setting.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties and ordered the continuation of the detention order with amended privileges, including the possibility of residing in approved accommodation in the community once transitioned.

The accused was charged with historical sexual offences but was found unfit to stand trial by the Superior Court of Justice due to severe cognitive decline resulting from metastatic lung cancer.

The Ontario Review Board held a disposition hearing and unanimously accepted the psychiatric evidence that the accused's condition is permanent and he cannot meaningfully participate in a trial.

Applying the Supreme Court's test in Bharwani, the Board confirmed the accused is unfit to stand trial.

Given his medical condition and lack of significant threat to public safety, the Board ordered a conditional discharge with minimal conditions, including virtual reporting and a no-contact order with the victims.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for assault by choking and was discharged on conditions.

At his initial Ontario Review Board hearing, the hospital's attending psychiatrist testified that the accused's schizophrenia and substance use disorder were in partial remission, he had strong community support, and he no longer posed a significant threat to public safety.

The Crown and the accused supported the hospital's recommendation.

The Board unanimously accepted the psychiatric evidence, found the accused did not pose a significant threat to the safety of the public, and granted an absolute discharge.

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

The accused has treatment-resistant schizophrenia and a history of substance use.

The hospital recommended continuing the Detention Order but removing the abstain from substances clause to test the accused's ability to abstain as his privileges increase in the community.

The Board found the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety but accepted the hospital's recommendation to remove the abstain clause, noting that close supervision would allow for a quick return to the hospital if his mental health deteriorated.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon and referred to the Ontario Review Board for an initial disposition hearing.

The accused suffers from schizophrenia and an intellectual disability, and has a history of violence and noncompliance with medication.

The Board applied the Winko test and unanimously found that the accused represents a significant threat to the safety of the public.

A Detention Order was issued with privileges up to indirectly supervised hospital and grounds access, taking into account an outstanding criminal charge for which the accused was remanded in custody.

The accused was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder for flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and obstructing a peace officer.

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

The Board found that the accused continues to suffer from Schizoaffective Disorder, lacks insight, refuses treatment, and poses a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered her detention and transfer to CAMH, finding it the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to protect the public.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for sexual assault.

The accused is currently incarcerated awaiting trial on numerous new violent offences.

Based on psychiatric evidence indicating severe antisocial personality disorder, substance abuse, and a high risk of reoffending, the Board found the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered his continued detention at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, concluding it is the least onerous and least restrictive disposition available to manage his risk.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorder, had shown significant behavioural improvements following medication changes.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, necessitating a continued Detention Order.

However, the Board concluded that a high-secure setting was no longer necessary and ordered the accused's transfer to a less secure facility with staff-escorted and accompanied hospital and grounds privileges.

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

The accused, who has severe autism and intellectual disabilities, was previously found unfit to stand trial on a charge of aggravated sexual assault.

The Board found that the accused remains unfit to stand trial and continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his lack of insight and problematic behaviours.

The Board ordered that the accused remain subject to a detention order at the hospital but added terms requiring his release to appropriate government-funded community housing in a timely fashion, with a pre-hearing conference scheduled within six months to monitor progress.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for manslaughter and assault causing bodily harm.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, had remained psychiatrically stable and compliant with treatment over the past year.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, particularly due to the risk of relapse associated with substance use.

However, given his stability and moderate risk level, the Board concluded that a transfer to a less secure forensic program at CAMH is the necessary and appropriate disposition.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found unfit to stand trial on charges including pointing a firearm and uttering threats.

The Board determined that the accused remains unfit to stand trial due to a profound intellectual developmental disorder and continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

Applying the factors under s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code, the Board ordered the accused's continued detention in the high-secure Awenda Program at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to manage his risk and care needs.