Dr. Rhys Linthorst

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

The accused, diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, had recently stopped taking his medication and exhibited threatening behaviour.

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

The Board ordered that the accused remain detained at the hospital, finding that a conditional discharge was premature given his ongoing psychotic symptoms and limited insight into his need for medication.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible in 2003 for various offences, was subject to a mandatory annual review hearing before the Ontario Review Board.

The Board accepted the uncontroverted psychiatric evidence that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to schizophrenia, substance use disorder, and a history of elopement.

The Board ordered the continuation of the accused's detention disposition at the Brockville Mental Health Centre, with privileges up to and including living in the community in approved accommodation.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial hearing for the accused, who was previously found unfit to stand trial on charges of uttering threats and mischief.

The Board accepted the treating psychiatrist's evidence that the accused remained unfit due to severe psychosis and catatonia, and could not understand the court process or communicate with counsel.

The Board concluded that the accused represented a significant threat to public safety and ordered his continued detention at the hospital with specified privileges and conditions.

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

The hospital and the Attorney General sought a renewal of the conditional discharge, while the accused sought an absolute discharge.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his inability to recognize the onset of positive symptoms of schizophrenia and the risk of relapse if he resumes cannabis use or misses medication.

The Board renewed the conditional discharge but removed the absolute prohibition on cannabis use and certain travel pass conditions to test his internalized compliance, while emphasizing the need to transition his care to an Assertive Community Treatment Team.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder and indignity to a dead body.

The Board found that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety and ordered his continued detention at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre.

However, noting the accused's stability, medication compliance, and abstinence from cannabis, the Board granted a community living privilege, specifically approving his transition to Lebreton Transitional Housing, an 8-hour supervised facility.