J. Ferguson

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorders, had been residing in the community under a conditional discharge.

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

The Board ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge, noting the accused's stability and compliance with treatment, while recognizing the need for ongoing support during his transition to more independent housing.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to determine whether the accused, who suffers from Major Neurocognitive Disorder, remains unfit to stand trial on a charge of assault causing bodily harm.

The Board found that the accused's cognitive abilities continue to deteriorate, rendering him unable to communicate with counsel or understand the proceedings.

The Board concluded that the accused remains unfit to stand trial and continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to unpredictable and aggressive behaviour.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

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

The hospital and the Attorney General argued that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and sought a detention order with conditions, while the accused sought an absolute discharge.

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

The Board ordered a detention order with conditions as the least restrictive option to manage the risk.

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

The hospital and the Attorney General argued that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety and sought a continued conditional discharge.

The accused sought an absolute discharge.

The Board found that the accused had been stable in the community for four years, remained abstinent from substances, and was compliant with his medication.

Despite the treating psychiatrist's concerns about the accused's limited insight and risk of relapse, the Board concluded that the threshold for a significant threat to public safety was not met and granted an absolute discharge.

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

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for various offences including threatening death, has diagnoses of schizophrenia and substance use disorder.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties and the evidence of the treating psychiatrist that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his risk of decompensation and noncompliance with treatment.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order with the same terms and conditions.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the restriction of liberty of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault and weapons charges.

The accused had been readmitted to the hospital after his mental health deteriorated due to cannabis use and medication non-compliance, leading to conflicts at his community housing.

The Board found that the readmission was necessary, appropriate, and the least restrictive option available at the time to stabilize his symptoms.

The accused was subsequently released back to his community housing with an updated treatment plan.

The accused, who was previously found unfit to stand trial and permitted to reside in the community, was readmitted to the hospital after his family withdrew consent for him to live with them due to his escalating alcohol consumption and threatening behaviour.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the restriction of liberties.

The Board found that the readmission was necessary, appropriate, and the least restrictive option available, and that ongoing detention in the hospital was warranted given the accused's lack of insight, refusal to cooperate with treatment, and stated intention to abscond.