K. Patel

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been living in a group home and demonstrated clinical stability over the review period.

All parties made a joint submission for a conditional discharge.

The Board found that while the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, the risk is manageable in the community.

The Board ordered a conditional discharge with specified conditions.

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

The accused, who suffers from treatment-refractory schizophrenia, was previously found unfit to stand trial on charges including arson and assault.

The Board found that the accused remains unfit to stand trial as his psychotic symptoms prevent him from having a reality-based understanding of the proceedings or communicating with counsel.

However, noting improvements in his behavioural control and impulse management, the Board ordered his transfer from a high-secure forensic hospital to a medium-secure facility, with privileges to access the community accompanied by staff.

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

The accused, who suffers from schizophrenia and an acquired brain injury, is currently detained at Waypoint Centre and awaiting transfer to CAMH.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to ongoing symptoms, limited response to treatment, and persistent sexualized behaviours.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order and noted it lacks jurisdiction to compel CAMH to expedite the transfer absent a Charter application.

The hospital notified the Ontario Review Board of a restriction of the accused's liberty lasting over seven days due to his placement in seclusion.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon, became aggressive and uncooperative with staff, leading to his seclusion.

The Board held a hearing and found that the restriction of liberty was necessary and appropriate for the safety of the public and represented the least onerous and least restrictive measure available at the time it was imposed and throughout its duration.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and intellectual disability, had recently experienced physical health issues requiring reductions in antipsychotic medications, leading to increased aggression and impulsivity.

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

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order without change, concluding it was the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to manage his risk and medical needs.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for robbery and manslaughter and designated as a high-risk accused.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his treatment-refractory schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorders.

The Board ordered the continuation of his detention at a high-secure facility but amended the disposition to remove absences for 'compassionate' and 'legal' purposes to comply with the restrictions on high-risk accused under s. 672.64(3) of the Criminal Code.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and a restriction of liberties review for an accused found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

The accused, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorders, had been readmitted to the hospital after becoming disorganized and entering a stranger's car.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his fragile insight and risk of decompensation when non-adherent to medication.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order and found the restriction of his liberties upon readmission to be necessary and appropriate.

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 Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the restriction of liberty of the accused, who was secluded at a mental health facility for over a month following aggressive and non-compliant behaviour.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been unmedicated and refused seclusion relief or communication with staff.

The Board found that the seclusion was a significant departure from his liberty norm but concluded it was necessary and appropriate for the safety of the public, representing the least onerous and least restrictive measure available at the time.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for attempt murder and designated a high risk accused, appeared for an annual review hearing before the Ontario Review Board.

The hospital and Crown jointly submitted that the current disposition be maintained, with an added 200-metre perimeter restriction from the parents' home and workplace.

The accused's counsel agreed but requested the Board refer the high risk accused designation to the Superior Court for review.

The Board accepted the joint submission, finding the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to ongoing symptoms of schizophrenia and lack of full insight.

The Board declined to refer the high risk accused designation for review, concluding there was not a substantial likelihood that the accused would not use violence endangering others.

The accused was found not criminally responsible in 2018 for uttering death threats and was subject to an Ontario Review Board disposition.

At his annual review, the hospital, the accused, and the Attorney General jointly submitted that he no longer posed a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board accepted the joint submission, noting that the accused's schizophrenia had been in remission since 2019, he was compliant with treatment, and he had strong family and community support.

The Board ordered an absolute discharge.

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

The hospital and Crown recommended maintaining the current detention disposition with an added privilege for discharge planning passes.

The accused requested the removal of the prohibition on cannabis use.

The Board found the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and maintained the cannabis prohibition, noting its historical contribution to his psychotic deterioration and violence.

The disposition was maintained with the added pass privilege.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assaulting a peace officer and aggravated assault.

The accused had recently been discharged from the hospital to a 24-hour supervised care facility where his psychotic symptoms had significantly abated.

The Board accepted the joint position of the parties, finding that while the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, his risk is adequately managed in the community.

The Board ordered a conditional discharge with a requirement to reside at the supervised facility.

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

The accused is currently subject to a conditional discharge and faces a deportation order due to a prior conviction, which he is appealing.

The hospital and parties jointly submitted that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to stressors related to his immigration status, lack of health coverage, and need for psychiatric follow-up.

The Board accepted the joint submission to continue the conditional discharge but declined to order a six-month review, finding it more appropriate for the parties to apply for an early hearing once the accused's appeal and immigration status are resolved.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault and criminal harassment.

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

The hospital, Crown, and accused's counsel all supported continuing the current conditional discharge.

The Board accepted the hospital's evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and would likely discontinue medication and relapse into substance use without the Board's oversight.

The Board ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment and failing to comply with release orders.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, resides in independent housing but requires ongoing supervision and medication.

All parties jointly submitted, and the Board agreed, that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of her current disposition, which includes detention at the hospital with privileges to live in the community, without change.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for various offences including assault with a weapon.

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

The hospital recently changed its recommendation from absolute to conditional discharge after the accused expressed a desire to change his antipsychotic medication due to perceived side effects.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, as his history of non-compliance and rapid decompensation poses a real risk if he were to change or stop medication without supervision.

A conditional discharge was ordered to allow for a controlled medication transition.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and a restriction of liberty hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault and robbery.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorders, had his liberty restricted after relapsing on crack cocaine and exhibiting erratic behaviour in the community.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public, particularly when using substances.

The Board ordered a continued Detention Disposition at the hospital and found the restriction of liberty was necessary and appropriate.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his major mental illness, severe substance use history, and poor insight.

The Board ordered a continuation of his detention at the Forensic Service of Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.