David Northcott

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault offences.

The accused is currently detained at a secure forensic psychiatric hospital.

The Board accepted the uncontroverted psychiatric evidence that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his schizophrenia and risk of medication non-compliance.

The Board ordered that the accused remain subject to a detention disposition.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for violent offences due to treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Despite a joint submission from the hospital, Crown, and accused supporting a transfer to a less secure facility, the Board found the transfer premature.

The Board noted the accused's fragile clinical stability, recent episodes of aggression, and history of rapid decompensation when medication monitoring was reduced.

The Board ordered continued detention at the high-secure facility with a weapons prohibition.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and breaching probation.

The hospital and the Crown recommended continuing his detention at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, a position the accused ultimately conceded.

Relying on the hospital report and the uncontroverted expert testimony of Dr. Mishra, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his treatment-refractory schizophrenia, acquired brain injury, and intellectual disability.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing detention disposition.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found unfit to stand trial on charges including assault and breach of probation.

The Board considered evidence from the hospital, including psychiatric assessments indicating the accused suffers from schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, and experiences ongoing paranoia and delusions.

The Board found that the accused remains unfit to stand trial as he cannot appreciate the charges or meaningfully participate in a trial.

The Board also concluded that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his propensity for unprovoked aggression when unwell.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order at the hospital.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, had recently been transferred to a new hospital following aggressive incidents.

The attending psychiatrist testified that the accused's behaviour had markedly improved following medication adjustments, though he remained a complex, high-needs patient.

Adopting the joint submission of the parties, the Board found that the accused continues to present a significant threat to public safety and ordered his continued detention at the hospital.

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

The accused, diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder and Polysubstance Abuse Disorder, is currently detained at a mental health centre.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to persistent psychotic symptoms, limited insight, and the risk of medication non-compliance if discharged.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order with existing community privileges, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and a restriction of liberty review for an accused found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder.

The accused, diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, had been placed in seclusion for over seven days due to aggressive behaviour and medication noncompliance.

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

The Board concluded that the initial decision to seclude the accused and the ongoing restriction of liberty were necessary, appropriate, and represented the least restrictive measures available to manage his risk.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order at the high secure forensic program.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for drug trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.

The accused is currently detained at a high secure forensic hospital.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to a profound lack of insight into his schizophrenia, ongoing grandiose delusions, and a history of non-compliance with treatment and substance abuse.

The Board concluded that maintaining the detention order in a high secure setting is the necessary and appropriate disposition to ensure public safety and provide necessary treatment.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to determine if the accused, previously found unfit to stand trial on assault and theft charges, was now fit.

Based on psychiatric evidence and the accused's demonstrated understanding of the legal process, the charges, and the potential consequences, the Board found the accused fit to stand trial.

The accused was ordered to return to court for a verdict while remaining detained at the hospital.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the restriction of liberty imposed on an NCR accused by the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

Following an incident where the accused assaulted four staff members, he was transferred to a secure forensic unit and placed in seclusion.

The Board applied the framework from R. v. M.L.C. and found that the initial restriction of liberty on June 7, 2025, and its continuation until July 7, 2025, were necessary, warranted, and the least onerous and least restrictive interventions to stabilize his mental state and protect public safety.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for attempted murder.

The accused sought an absolute or conditional discharge, while the hospital and the Attorney General argued for continued detention.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to persistent grandiose and persecutory delusions, lack of insight, and a history of violence.

The Board ordered that the accused remain detained at the high-secure provincial forensic program, concluding that neither an absolute nor a conditional discharge would adequately mitigate the risk to the public.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for various offences including uttering threats and assault.

The accused has schizophrenia and substance use disorders but has made significant progress living in the community under a detention disposition.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to residual cognitive deficits, impulsivity, and limited insight into his need for ongoing psychiatric supervision.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention disposition, concluding that a conditional discharge would remove necessary risk management structures.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for failing to comply with probation and an appearance notice.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorder, continued to use cannabis and cocaine, leading to irritability and a restriction of his liberty by the hospital.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his lack of insight, non-compliance with medication, and history of aggression when using substances.

The Board maintained the detention disposition and confirmed that the restriction of liberty was necessary and appropriate.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for dangerous operation causing death.

The Board accepted the uncontroverted expert evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to his schizoaffective disorder and vulnerability to stimulants.

However, noting his recent stability in a transitional housing program, the Board found that expanding his community pass privileges up to 48 hours was the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The detention order was continued with amended pass privileges.

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

The accused has diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorders.

Relying on uncontroverted expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to poor insight, history of medication non-adherence, and risk of relapse if substance use resumes.

The Board ordered the continuation of the Detention Order with an added community privilege to facilitate reintegration and transfer to another facility.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder.

The accused had a variable year, including a recent serious incident where he assaulted hospital staff, resulting in seclusion and segregation.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his schizophrenia, severe cognitive limitations, and history of violence.

The Board declined the accused's request to transfer to a hospital in Thunder Bay, citing long waitlists and the need for stabilization.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order disposition without changes.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for the accused, who was found not criminally responsible for attempted murder in 2005.

The hospital and the Attorney General recommended no change to his current detention disposition at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.

The Board accepted the uncontroverted psychiatric evidence that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, lacks insight into his mental illness, and refuses treatment.

The Board ordered the continuation of his existing detention disposition.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault and forcible confinement.

The accused, diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, continues to experience command hallucinations directing him to attack others.

The Board accepted the uncontroverted psychiatric evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered that the accused remain detained at the high secure forensic program at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, finding it the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to manage his risk.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for break and enter and escaping lawful custody.

The accused requested indirectly supervised community privileges.

The hospital and the Crown opposed the request, citing the accused's impulsivity, substance use history, and traumatic brain injury.

The Board found the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered a continuation of the detention disposition without the requested privileges, noting that granting them would be premature and could destabilize his progress.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused, who was found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment.

The accused sought a conditional discharge, while the hospital and Attorney General sought a continuation of the detention order.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his major mental illness, uncertain diagnosis, and lack of insight into symptom re-emergence.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order, emphasizing the need for hospital-approved accommodation and ongoing supervision to manage the risk of deterioration.