S. Lessard

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for robbery and failing to comply with probation.

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

The parties presented a joint position supporting a continued detention disposition with reduced reporting requirements.

Applying the Winko framework, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, primarily due to the risk of substance relapse and stressors related to transitioning to independent housing.

The Board ordered a Detention Disposition as the necessary and appropriate measure to protect the public while accommodating the accused's reintegration needs.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon, was transferred from the community to a locked forensic unit due to high-risk behaviours and substance use.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing under s. 672.81(2.1) of the Criminal Code to review this restriction of liberty.

The Board accepted uncontroverted expert evidence that the accused's medications required adjustment and appropriate housing had not been identified.

The Board unanimously determined that the restriction of liberty was necessary and appropriate, and ordered a continued detention disposition.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the hospital's decision to transfer the accused from the Forensic Rehabilitation Unit to the Forensic Assessment Unit, constituting a restriction of liberty.

The transfer was precipitated by the accused's substance use and medication non-compliance.

The Board found that the initial restriction of liberty was warranted to stabilize the accused's mental status and manage risk.

However, because the hospital would have transferred the accused back to the rehabilitation unit if a bed were available, the continued placement in the assessment unit no longer constituted the least onerous and least restrictive placement.

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

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia and multiple substance use disorders.

The hospital, the Attorney-General, and the accused jointly proposed maintaining a detention disposition.

The Board accepted the uncontroverted evidence of the treating psychiatrist that the accused's fluctuating engagement with treatment and ongoing substance use pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered a detention disposition to manage the risk while supporting the accused's reintegration and treatment needs.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder and breaking and entering.

At his initial disposition hearing before the Ontario Review Board, the hospital and the accused sought a detention order with privileges including indirectly supervised passes into the community.

The Attorney General opposed the indirectly supervised passes.

The Board ordered a detention order but denied the indirectly supervised community passes, finding them premature given the accused's limited insight into his psychotic symptoms, the high risk of relapse, and the short period of observation at the hospital.

The hospital requested an early review of the Disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible, seeking his transfer to a high-secure forensic facility.

The request followed an incident where the accused assaulted a co-patient and engaged in a violent standoff with police on the hospital unit.

The Ontario Review Board found that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety and that his risk could no longer be safely managed at the current hospital.

The Board ordered a Detention Order directing his transfer to a maximum-security facility.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon and other offences, had his disposition reviewed by the Ontario Review Board.

The Hospital and the accused recommended an Absolute Discharge, while the Crown sought a Conditional Discharge.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his history of severe substance-induced psychosis and violence.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge with terms including monitoring for substance use and weapons prohibitions.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for attempted murder and aggravated assault.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial hearing to determine the appropriate disposition.

The Board found that the accused poses a significant threat to the safety of the public, citing the gravity of the index offences, a concurrent second-degree murder conviction, and a history of severe substance abuse triggering psychotic episodes.

The Board ordered a detention order with limited privileges for medical, dental, legal, and compassionate purposes, along with conditions including a weapons prohibition and abstention from substances.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and a restriction of liberty review for an accused found not criminally responsible for multiple offences including assault with a weapon.

The accused, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder and severe substance use disorders, had recently relapsed, leading to a restriction of his liberty and transfer to a secure unit.

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

The Board concluded that a detention disposition remains necessary and appropriate, and that the restriction of liberty was justified and represented the least restrictive option available.

The accused was found not criminally responsible (NCR) on charges of sexual assault and committing an indecent act.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial hearing to determine the appropriate disposition.

The Board found that the accused, who suffers from schizo-affective disorder and a substance use disorder, continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public.

Due to a bed shortage at the hospital, the accused had been held at a detention centre.

The Board ordered a detention disposition at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, providing the hospital with flexibility to find appropriate housing that meets the accused's mental health needs while ensuring public safety.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for three counts of first-degree murder due to schizophrenia.

The hospital and the Crown recommended a continued detention order with reduced reporting requirements and the removal of substance testing conditions, to which the accused consented.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his treatment-resistant illness and risk of rapid decompensation.

The Board ordered continued detention with the recommended changes to allow for gradual community reintegration.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for assault and uttering threats.

The hospital and the accused submitted that he no longer posed a significant threat to public safety, noting his three years of sobriety, stable mental state, and strong community support.

The Crown ultimately agreed.

Applying the Winko test, the Board found that the accused no longer posed a significant threat to public safety and ordered an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and harassment.

The hospital and the Attorney-General jointly submitted that the accused no longer posed a significant threat to public safety, citing his significant psychiatric improvement, partial remission of schizophrenia, and successful integration into the community.

The Board agreed, finding that the accused no longer posed a significant threat to the safety of the public, and granted an absolute discharge.

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

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for weapons and mischief offences, suffers from schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

Following a period of decompensation and substance use in the community, his liberty was restricted and he was returned to the hospital.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public.

A joint submission for a continued detention disposition with increased reporting requirements upon transition to the community was accepted as necessary and appropriate.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for various offences, including failure to comply with bail conditions and mischief.

The accused, who has diagnoses of schizophrenia and intellectual disability, had been living in approved community accommodations and making progress.

However, the treatment team expressed concerns about his impulsivity, poor budgeting, and potential for decompensation if transitioned to independent living too quickly.

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

A detention disposition with increased travel privileges was ordered to ensure public safety while supporting the accused's reintegration into the community.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for manslaughter and designated a High-Risk Accused.

The Board accepted a joint submission that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered continued detention at the hospital.

Applying the test from Cousineau, the Board assessed whether there was a substantial likelihood the accused would use violence if discharged from the Board's jurisdiction.

Preferring the evidence of the independent psychiatric assessor over the treating psychiatrist, the Board found a substantial likelihood of violence remained due to the accused's ongoing psychotic symptoms, limited insight, and history of non-compliance.

The Board declined to refer the High-Risk Accused designation to the Superior Court for review.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for first-degree murder, was readmitted to the hospital due to an increase in delusional symptoms, constituting a significant restriction of his liberty.

The Ontario Review Board convened a hearing under s. 672.81(2.1) of the Criminal Code to review the restriction.

Based on the evidence and a joint submission from the parties, the Board found that the readmission was reasonable, warranted, and the least restrictive course of action available to manage the increased risk posed by the accused's symptoms.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, has a history of rapid decompensation when non-compliant with medication.

The Board accepted the joint submission that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety.

A detention disposition was ordered as necessary and appropriate to ensure public safety and meet the accused's treatment needs.

The Board declined to grant international travel privileges due to the risk of decompensation without adequate family support for medication compliance, but removed substance use conditions as there was no evidence of substance abuse.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review and initial hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for multiple offences, including assault and impaired driving.

The accused, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, had a history of rapid decompensation and non-compliance with medication.

The Board found that the accused continued to pose a significant threat to public safety.

A detention order was maintained, with privileges including domestic and foreign travel, provided the accused adhered to a long-acting injectable antipsychotic treatment regimen.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and initial hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for multiple offences, including assault and robbery.

The accused, diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, experienced rapid decompensation and hypomanic episodes when non-compliant with medication.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public.

A detention disposition was ordered, with privileges for domestic travel to support his employment, and international travel conditional on compliance with a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication.