M. Garfield

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for weapons offences due to schizophrenia.

The accused had a history of medication non-compliance but showed recent progress after transitioning to long-acting injectable antipsychotics.

The Board accepted the uncontroverted psychiatric evidence that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety if supervision is removed.

The Board ordered a continued Detention Disposition with expanded privileges to support a gradual transition to community living.

The Ontario Review Board held an early review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for indecent acts and assault causing bodily harm.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorders, had been detained at a psychiatric hospital.

The hospital requested the hearing to seek expanded privileges for the accused, arguing that while he remained a significant threat to public safety, his recent stability warranted a step-wise increase in privileges to facilitate rehabilitation.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties, finding the accused continued to pose a significant threat, and ordered a continued Detention Order with the requested additional privileges.

The accused was found not criminally responsible (NCR) for three counts of failing to stop after an accident, while simultaneously being convicted of dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm.

At his initial Ontario Review Board hearing regarding the NCR findings, the hospital's forensic psychiatrist testified that the accused did not suffer from a major mental illness, lacked antisocial traits, and posed a very low risk of reoffending.

The Board accepted this evidence, finding that the accused did not meet the threshold of posing a significant threat to the safety of the public.

Consequently, the Board ordered an absolute discharge in relation to the NCR offences.