Dr. Darmant Bhullar

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assaulting a peace officer, was detained at a forensic hospital with community living privileges.

Following a relapse involving alcohol and cannabis use, the hospital readmitted her, significantly restricting her liberties for over seven days.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing under s. 672.81(2.1) of the Criminal Code.

The Board agreed with the joint submission of the parties that the readmission was necessary, reasonable, and appropriate to treat the escalation in substance use, and that her five-week hospital stay was the least onerous and least restrictive disposition in the circumstances.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found unfit to stand trial on a murder charge due to treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

The Board found the accused remains unfit to stand trial as he cannot meaningfully participate or understand the proceedings.

The Board ordered continued detention on a Forensic Service unit, declining to add a community living clause as it was premature given the accused's need for intensive staff support and lack of readiness for indirect privileges.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review of the accused's conditional discharge.

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault, has treatment-resistant schizophrenia but has remained stable and symptom-free on medication.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety but, relying on the joint position of the parties and psychiatric evidence, ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge with relaxed conditions, including reduced reporting frequency and the removal of residence and consent to treatment clauses.

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

The accused sought an absolute discharge, while the hospital and Crown recommended a conditional discharge.

The hospital recently changed its recommendation from absolute to conditional discharge after the accused expressed a desire to change his antipsychotic medication due to perceived side effects.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, as his history of non-compliance and rapid decompensation poses a real risk if he were to change or stop medication without supervision.

A conditional discharge was ordered to allow for a controlled medication transition.