P.E. Cook

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for multiple offences including robbery.

The accused, who has schizophrenia and a substance use disorder, had a history of absconding and relapsing into substance use, which exacerbated his psychotic symptoms.

Relying on the uncontroverted evidence of the treating psychiatric team, the Board concluded that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order to provide necessary supervision during his transition to community living.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder in 2021 after killing her infant son during a major psychotic incident.

She appeared before the Ontario Review Board for a mandatory review of her conditional discharge.

The evidence demonstrated that her schizoaffective disorder was optimally treated, she had maintained stability in the community for several years, and she had robust professional and personal supports, including a voluntary Community Treatment Order.

The Board concluded that the accused no longer posed a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon.

The accused has schizophrenia and a substance use disorder, with recent incidents of absconding to secure substances.

The hospital proposed maintaining the current Detention Order with privileges, focusing on anti-craving medication and a potential residential treatment program.

The Board accepted the joint submission, finding the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and the current Disposition is the least onerous and least restrictive means to manage his risk.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for murder, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for an annual hearing.

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder.

The treating psychiatrist testified that the accused is stable, adherent to medication, and has good insight, but continues to pose a significant threat to the public.

The Board agreed that the accused remains a significant threat and ordered that the current Disposition of a Detention Order with privileges up to and including living in the community be maintained.

The Board noted the accused's lack of immigration status in Canada as a challenge for community placement.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for first-degree murder.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his history of violence and primary psychotic illness.

However, noting his successful treatment year and remission of psychotic symptoms, the Board ordered a Detention Order to the Forensic Service with expanded privileges, including community living in supervised accommodation, to facilitate cautious reintegration and assist with housing waitlists.

The accused, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity for murder in 1985, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for an annual review hearing.

The Board considered psychiatric evidence indicating the accused continues to exhibit problematic sexualized behaviour and lacks insight into his condition.

Accepting the joint submission of the parties, the Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered the continuation of his detention order at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for various offences including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and sexual assault.

The accused had recently been discharged into a high-support community residence.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties and the treating physician that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of a Detention Order, directed to the General Forensic Unit, to ensure ongoing medication compliance and monitor his integration into the community.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused who was found unfit to stand trial on a charge of second-degree murder.

The hospital requested an amendment to his detention disposition to allow transfer from a 'Secure Forensic' unit to a general 'Forensic Service' unit if needed due to his neurocognitive decline and reactivity to stimuli.

The Board found that the accused remains unfit to stand trial and continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board denied the hospital's request to amend the disposition, finding that the accused is currently well-supported on the Secure Forensic Unit and no situation currently necessitates a transfer.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for mischief, assault causing bodily harm, and weapons dangerous.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and neurocognitive disorder, is currently residing in a locked geriatric unit and requires significant care.

The hospital and the Attorney General supported an absolute discharge.

The Board found that the accused no longer poses a significant threat to public safety and granted an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the Disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon.

The hospital, Crown, and accused jointly recommended continuing the Detention Order while amending the residential clause to allow the accused to relocate to Windsor, Ontario for new employment.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation, finding the accused remained a significant threat to public safety, and ordered continued detention at the General Forensic Unit at CAMH with the requested travel and residential privileges.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused previously found unfit to stand trial on a charge of assault causing bodily harm.

The accused, who suffers from schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, did not attend the hearing.

Applying the recent Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Bharwani, the Board found the accused lacked a reality-based understanding to instruct counsel and remained unfit to stand trial.

The Board accepted uncontroverted medical evidence that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to ongoing aggressive behaviours.

The Board maintained the detention disposition at the forensic psychiatric facility, with privileges for supervised community living, concluding a conditional discharge was inappropriate given the instability of the accused's mental state.

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

The accused had previously been found unfit to stand trial on charges of assault with a weapon.

Based on the hospital report and the testimony of the assessing doctor, all parties agreed that the accused was now fit to stand trial.

The Board accepted this evidence, found the accused fit to stand trial, and directed that the charges be returned to court.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon and other offences.

The hospital, Crown, and accused jointly recommended a Conditional Discharge, agreeing that while the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, his risk can be managed in the community.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation, noting the accused's medication compliance and positive progress, and granted a Conditional Discharge with a no-contact provision.

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 held an annual hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had a positive year in hospital with no concerning behaviours.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his history of violence when non-compliant with medication and experiencing psychotic symptoms.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order with amended conditions to allow for a supervised transition into supportive housing in the community.

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 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 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 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 Ontario Review Board held an initial disposition hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for multiple offences, including assault with a weapon, due to schizophrenia.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, noting his history of unprovoked aggression during periods of untreated psychosis and medication non-compliance.

Accepting the joint submission of the parties, the Board ordered that the accused be detained at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to ensure ongoing treatment and risk management.