L. Ramshaw

Austin McParland was found not criminally responsible for dangerous driving and referred to the Ontario Review Board.

At his initial disposition hearing, the Board found that he continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his bipolar disorder, history of disengagement from psychiatric services, and medication non-compliance.

The Board concluded that a conditional discharge was insufficient to manage his risk and ordered a detention order with permission to reside in the community in approved accommodation.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for three charges of assault.

The accused, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and a developmental disorder, has resided in a hospital setting for most of his life.

The hospital and the Crown recommended the continuation of a detention order, citing ongoing episodes of emotional dysregulation and aggression towards staff, which the accused did not oppose.

The Board accepted the medical evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of the detention order, while noting frustration over the delay in securing appropriate supportive housing.

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for violent offences committed against his partner while experiencing active symptoms of schizophrenia.

At his annual Review Board hearing, the hospital and the Crown submitted that he continues to pose a significant threat to public safety but recommended amending his detention order to allow community living anywhere in Northwestern Ontario.

The Board accepted the uncontroverted psychiatric evidence that, despite his recent progress and medication compliance, the accused remains a significant threat due to his history of relapses and non-compliance.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order with the requested amendment to his community living privileges.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial disposition hearing for an accused found unfit to stand trial on charges including uttering threats, criminal harassment, and assault.

Relying on psychiatric evidence, the Board concluded the accused remains unfit to stand trial due to cognitive and language impairments.

The Board ordered that the accused be detained at the hospital with privileges up to living in the community in approved accommodation, subject to conditions including a weapons prohibition and no-contact orders.

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

The Board heard evidence that the accused had assaulted a vulnerable co-patient, threatened staff, and continued to use substances while detained at the hospital.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of his detention order, declining to transfer him to a more secure facility at this time but noting that further violent behaviour could prompt an early review.

The accused was previously found unfit to stand trial on various charges including sexual assault and assault causing bodily harm.

He has been under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Review Board.

Following a change in his medication regimen, including the introduction of Amisulpride, his mental health substantially improved.

The hospital, the Attorney General, and the accused's counsel jointly submitted that he is now fit to stand trial.

The Board applied the fitness test from Bharwani and concluded that the accused has a reality-based understanding of the proceedings and can meaningfully participate.

The Board unanimously found the accused fit to stand trial and ordered him returned to court pursuant to section 672.48(2) of the Criminal Code, while maintaining his current disposition.

The accused was referred to the Ontario Review Board after being found unfit to stand trial on charges including sexual assault.

The accused suffers from a moderate developmental delay and schizoaffective disorder.

The Board unanimously found the accused unfit to stand trial, noting his inability to understand the judicial process or communicate effectively with counsel due to his mental disorder.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to protect public safety, with conditions including no contact with the victims and monthly reporting to the hospital.

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

The accused has a history of serious violence, schizophrenia, and substance abuse.

Despite a difficult start to the year, including an AWOL incident and an assault on a co-patient, the accused showed significant recent improvement after agreeing to take injectable antipsychotic medication.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and ordered that the current detention order at the hospital be maintained, allowing for gradual community reintegration as his condition stabilizes.