J. Goldenberg

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for various offences including robbery with a weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been living successfully in the community under a conditional discharge.

Based on psychiatric evidence that the accused was in full remission, highly compliant with medication, and posed a low risk of violent re-offending, all parties jointly submitted that he should be absolutely discharged.

The Board concluded the accused no longer posed a significant threat to public safety and ordered 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 second-degree murder, is currently detained at a mental health centre.

The hospital, the Attorney General, and the accused's counsel jointly recommended continuing the current detention order, agreeing that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board accepted the evidence, noting the accused's ongoing need for electroconvulsive therapy and the difficulties in placing him in a long-term care facility.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order with the same terms as the previous year.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had made positive progress over the past year but remained a significant threat to public safety.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties and issued a hybrid order, directing the accused's continued detention in a Secure Forensic Unit with the discretion for the hospital to transfer him to a General Forensic Unit (in a private room) when his condition justifies it.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused previously found unfit to stand trial on charges including sexual assault and assault with a weapon.

The accused, who resides in a long-term care facility and lacks mobility, was absent from the hearing.

Based on uncontested psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused remains permanently unfit to stand trial and continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board directed his continued detention at the General Forensic Service of Ontario Shores.

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

The hospital and Crown recommended continued detention in a forensic unit, while the accused requested a four-day community pass to visit his grandmother.

The Board ordered continued detention, specifically directing placement in the General Forensic Unit rather than leaving the security level to the hospital's discretion.

The Board also granted a modified pass of up to 48 hours for the accused to visit his grandmother in the Niagara Region.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, was detained at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.

Based on the hospital report and the testimony of the inpatient psychiatrist, the Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

Accepting the joint recommendation of the parties, the Board ordered the continuation of the Detention Order on the General Forensic Service, noting the accused's positive trajectory and readiness for community placement when available.

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 schizophrenia, cannabis use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder, had made progress but remained a significant threat to public safety.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties and ordered the accused's continued detention at the General Forensic Program at Ontario Shores.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an initial disposition hearing for an accused found unfit to stand trial on charges including sexual assault, theft, and break and enter.

Based on the hospital reports and the testimony of the hospital's representative, the Board concluded that the accused remains unfit to stand trial.

The Board ordered that the accused be subject to a Detention Order at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, with privileges up to community living in approved accommodation and a no-contact provision regarding the complainants.

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

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for abduction, had been subject to a conditional discharge.

The hospital and the accused sought an absolute discharge, arguing she no longer posed a significant threat to public safety.

The Crown opposed.

A majority of the Board found that the accused remained a significant threat due to her history of violence, antisocial personality disorder, and ongoing use of synthetic cannabinoids.

The Board ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge with reduced reporting requirements.

Two members dissented, finding the accused was entitled to an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board convened a hearing to review a significant increase in the restrictions on the liberty of an NCR accused.

The accused, who had been living in an approved community residence, was involuntarily admitted to the hospital after exhibiting threatening and unmanageable behaviour, leading to his eviction from the residence.

The Board found that the hospital's decision to restrict the accused's liberty by detaining him in the Forensic Inpatient Unit was necessary to manage the risk he posed to himself and others.

The Board concluded that the restriction was the least onerous and least restrictive measure available in the circumstances.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the hospital's decision to restrict the liberty of an NCR patient for a period exceeding seven days.

The patient, who had been living in the community, was readmitted to the secure forensic unit after decompensating due to non-adherence to his antipsychotic medication.

The Board found that the restriction of liberty was warranted for public safety and was the least onerous and least restrictive measure in the circumstances.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for attempted murder and possession of stolen property.

The accused, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, sought an absolute discharge but refused to attend the hearing or participate in a court-ordered violence risk assessment.

Relying on expert psychiatric and psychological evidence, the Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to a lack of insight, risk of medication non-compliance, and potential for substance abuse if unsupervised.

The Board ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge as the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found unfit to stand trial on assault charges.

The hospital and the parties jointly submitted that the accused is permanently unfit and no longer poses a significant threat to public safety, largely due to a severe brain injury that left him with significant physical impairments.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation, continued the detention order permitting the accused to live in a 24-hour supervised accommodation, and directed that the matter be returned to court to consider staying the outstanding charges.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assaulting a peace officer and uttering threats.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, sought an absolute discharge.

The hospital and the Crown argued that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety due to partial medication non-compliance and lack of insight into his illness.

The Board accepted the psychiatric evidence and the testimony of the accused's aunt, finding that the accused poses a real risk of serious harm if no longer subject to an ORB disposition.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing conditional discharge.

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

The accused had been living in the community on a conditional discharge and demonstrated improved clinical stability, though the treatment team raised concerns about his potential return to substance use, which historically triggered his psychosis.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to the risks associated with his substance use and maladaptive coping strategies.

The Board ordered that the conditional discharge be maintained, but removed the consent to treatment condition as it was no longer necessary given the accused's history of compliance.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault and uttering threats after stabbing his father and brother.

At the initial disposition hearing, the Ontario Review Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant risk to public safety.

The Board ordered a Detention Order Disposition with privileges up to and including living in the community in approved accommodation.

The Board accepted the joint submission for a hybrid disposition, allowing the hospital discretion to transfer the accused from a Secure to a General Forensic Unit once his diagnostic profile is clarified.

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

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for attempted murder and possession of a weapon.

The hospital and Crown sought a continuation of the conditional discharge, while the accused sought an absolute discharge.

The Board accepted the treating physician's evidence that the accused lacks insight into his mental illness and would likely discontinue his medication if granted an absolute discharge, leading to decompensation and a risk of violent behavior.

The Board found the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge.

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

The hospital, Crown, and defence jointly recommended a conditional discharge, agreeing that while the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, a detention order is no longer necessary.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation and the evidence of the treating psychiatrist, ordering a conditional discharge with specific conditions, including notice requirements in lieu of a strict residence clause.

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

The accused, who has a complex forensic dual diagnosis including autism spectrum disorder and paraphilias, was excused from attending due to agitation.

The Hospital and all parties jointly submitted that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and requires continued detention with 24-hour supervision in his specialized community housing.

The Board accepted the joint submission, finding that the accused's risk of future violence would be high if absolutely discharged, and ordered the continuation of the Detention Disposition.

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

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for various offences including assault with a weapon.

The Board heard evidence from the treating psychiatrist that the accused's schizoaffective disorder is currently well-controlled with medication, but he lacks insight and would likely discontinue treatment if discharged.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of his Detention Order at a General Forensic Unit.