Daniel Brandes

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for robbery and other offences, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for an annual disposition hearing.

The hospital and the Crown sought a continuation of his detention order with slight modifications, while the accused sought an absolute discharge, arguing he no longer posed a significant threat to public safety.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat due to his lack of insight, history of medication non-compliance, and risk of decompensation if discharged.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order with the removal of the abstention clause and a reduction in reporting frequency.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment, was subject to an annual Review Board hearing.

The hospital and the Attorney General jointly submitted that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety and required a continued Detention Order, albeit with a minor modification to allow for more independent housing.

The Board accepted the joint submission, finding that the accused's bipolar disorder, lack of insight, and potential for rapid decompensation necessitated ongoing supervision and a Detention Order under s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.

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

The accused has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a history of severe decompensation when non-compliant with medication.

Relying on uncontroverted expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his lack of insight and reliance on external supervision for medication adherence.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge with terms including residence at a specified address and regular reporting.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for indecent exposure.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been living in the community with significant supports and demonstrated long-term compliance with treatment.

Based on a joint submission and uncontested psychiatric evidence, the Board concluded the accused no longer posed a significant threat to public safety and granted an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

The Board accepted the uncontested evidence of the hospital's clinical team that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety but is clinically stable and progressing well.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order at the hospital with privileges up to living in the community in the Greater Toronto Area.

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

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for assault and failing to comply with a recognizance, has schizophrenia and a history of violence.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties and the uncontroverted expert evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety without professional support in place.

The Board ordered the continuation of the Conditional Discharge, with the removal of the requirement to submit urine and breath samples, pending the accused's transition to a non-forensic psychiatric team.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory annual review of the accused's Disposition.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for assault and other offences, has diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorders.

Based on uncontroverted expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to limited insight, persistent psychotic symptoms, and recent substance use requiring hospital readmission.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order, concluding that 24/7 supervised accommodation is necessary to manage the risk.

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

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his schizophrenia and the risk of decompensation if he becomes non-compliant with medication.

Accepting the joint position of the parties, the Board ordered a Conditional Discharge, noting his progress and commitment to abstinence while emphasizing the need for continued treatment.

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

The accused sought an absolute discharge, while the hospital and the Attorney General recommended a continued detention disposition with added travel privileges.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his fragile mental state, susceptibility to substance abuse, and need for medication monitoring and supervised housing.

The Board ordered a detention disposition with privileges, including travel passes to visit family.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for three counts of assault.

The hospital, Crown, and accused jointly recommended a continuation of the detention order at a Secure Forensic Unit, with the ability to transfer to a General Forensic Unit and a new privilege for 24-hour supervised community living.

The Board found the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to his schizophrenia, recent AWOL, and partial insight.

The Board ordered continued detention with the requested privileges.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review two restrictions of liberty imposed on the accused by the hospital: placement in locked seclusion and transfer to a Secure Forensic Unit.

The restrictions followed a code white incident where the accused became agitated, threatening, and refused medication.

The Board found that both the initial placement in seclusion and the transfer to the Secure Forensic Unit were warranted.

The Board accepted the hospital's evidence that the accused's ongoing detention in the Secure Forensic Unit remains the least onerous and least restrictive decision consistent with public safety.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for arson and assault causing bodily harm.

At the initial disposition hearing, the Ontario Review Board considered whether the accused posed a significant threat to public safety.

Relying on uncontroverted expert evidence, the Board found that the accused's schizophrenia, substance use disorder, limited insight, and uncertain housing situation contributed to a moderate risk of violent re-offending.

The Board concluded that the accused represents a significant threat and ordered a Detention Order with conditions, permitting community living in approved accommodation.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for sexual assault.

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder.

Relying on uncontroverted expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, particularly due to the risk of medication non-compliance and substance use without external supervision.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order.

The accused was found Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) on charges of aggravated assault, assault, and threatening bodily harm.

The Ontario Review Board held a disposition hearing to determine if the accused posed a significant risk to public safety.

The Board found that the accused, who suffers from treatment-resistant schizoaffective disorder and has a history of medication non-compliance, remains a significant threat to the public.

The Board ordered a hybrid Detention Order at the secure forensic unit, with discretion for the person in charge to transfer the accused to a general forensic unit, along with specific privileges and restrictions.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and an intellectual disability, had been stable and compliant with medication while residing in supported housing.

The parties jointly submitted that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety and should remain subject to a conditional discharge on existing terms, pending an approved inter-provincial transfer to Alberta.

The Board accepted the joint submission, finding that the accused required continued high-level support and structure to maintain clinical stability and mitigate risk.

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

The accused sought a conditional discharge, while the Hospital and Crown jointly recommended maintaining the existing detention order.

The Board accepted the psychiatric evidence that the accused's schizophrenia, combined with his limited insight, guardedness, and lack of participation in structured activities, meant he continued to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board concluded that maintaining the detention order with privileges for approved accommodation was the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to protect the public.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and carrying a concealed weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorders, had been residing in the community under a detention order.

The Board accepted the joint position of the parties and the hospital's psychiatric evidence that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his guardedness, lack of insight into his medication, and recent incidents of verbal aggression.

The Board maintained the existing detention order with privileges to reside in approved accommodation.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for first-degree murder, was living in the community under an Ontario Review Board disposition.

After missing doses of his antipsychotic medication due to paranoia, he was readmitted to the hospital for safe re-titration, resulting in a restriction of his liberty.

The hospital notified the Board, which held a mandatory review hearing.

The Board found that the initial restriction of liberty and its continuation were warranted, necessary, appropriate, and represented the least onerous and least restrictive measure in the circumstances.

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

The hospital and the Attorney General sought a continuation of the Detention Order, while the accused sought an Absolute Discharge.

Relying on the unanimous expert evidence of the clinical teams, the Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and requires the structure of a Detention Order to ensure treatment compliance and housing approval.

The Detention Order was continued.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon.

The hospital, the Attorney General, and the accused all agreed that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety but has shown recent progress following medication adjustments and ECT treatments.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation and issued a Hybrid Order, directing detention in a Secure Forensic Unit with discretion for the hospital to transfer the accused to a General Forensic Unit.