S. Prat

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been stable on long-acting injectable medication and was transitioning to live with his parents, who were the victims of the index offences.

While the treating psychiatrist and all parties recommended a conditional discharge, the majority of the Board concluded that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety and that a detention order was the necessary and appropriate disposition to ensure rapid readmission if his mental health decompensated.

A minority would have granted a conditional discharge.

The Hospital sought an early review of the accused's conditional discharge, citing medication non-compliance and disengagement from treatment.

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for harassment, had reduced his antipsychotic medication and stopped attending required hospital appointments.

The Ontario Review Board found that the accused continued to represent a significant threat to public safety.

The Board concluded that a conditional discharge was no longer sufficient to manage the risk and ordered a detention disposition.

However, the Board declined the Hospital's request to transfer the accused to a facility in Brockville, finding that maintaining his connection to the Ottawa community was appropriate unless further deterioration occurred.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused previously found unfit to stand trial on breach of probation charges.

The hospital and Crown argued the accused remained permanently unfit and posed a significant threat to public safety, necessitating continued supervision.

The accused's counsel conceded permanent unfitness but argued the significant threat threshold was no longer met due to years of stability at a supervised group home.

The Board agreed with the accused, finding that while he remains permanently unfit due to a neurocognitive disorder, the risk of serious harm is speculative given his prolonged lack of aggression, medication compliance, and the ongoing authority of his wife as substitute decision-maker.

The Board concluded the accused does not pose a significant threat and remitted the matter to the court to consider a stay of proceedings.

The accused was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder for harassment and public mischief offences.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial disposition hearing.

Based on the uncontroverted expert evidence of the assessing psychiatrist, the Board found that the accused, who suffers from schizophrenia and is currently untreated, poses a significant threat to public safety due to a risk of causing serious psychological harm.

The Board ordered a Detention Order at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre with conditions, including a prohibition on internet access without approval, to allow for assessment of capacity to consent to treatment and management of his risk.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for harassment and public mischief offences stemming from persistent delusional complaints against a police officer.

At the initial disposition hearing, the Ontario Review Board found that the accused, who suffers from untreated schizophrenia and lacks insight, poses a significant threat to public safety due to the risk of continued psychological harm to others.

The Board ordered a Detention Order at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre to facilitate assessment of his capacity to consent to treatment and to manage his risk, with privileges to reside in the community once approved.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for an indecent act.

The accused suffers from schizophrenia and substance use disorders, which have historically led to rapid decompensation and increased risk to the public when he uses substances.

Despite recent positive progress and engagement with his treatment team, the Board accepted the joint submission that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board concluded that a continued detention disposition at the hospital, with existing privileges and conditions, remains necessary and appropriate to manage his risk and support his ongoing rehabilitation.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment and other offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, demonstrated ongoing medication non-compliance, lack of insight into his illness, and recently incurred new criminal convictions similar to his index offences.

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

A detention disposition with increased reporting requirements was ordered to manage his risk, while a request by the hospital for a driving prohibition was declined.