Marie-Lise Dufort

The accused admitted to killing the victim but sought a finding of Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) under s. 16(1) of the Criminal Code.

Both the Crown and Defence agreed the accused should be found NCR due to schizophrenia.

The court initially found the evidentiary record insufficient and appointed amicus to cross-examine the forensic psychiatrist, specifically regarding the accused's police interview and potential motive.

After hearing supplemental evidence, the court was satisfied on a balance of probabilities that the accused was in active psychosis and lacked the capacity to appreciate the moral wrongfulness of his actions.

The accused was found NCR and the disposition was deferred to the Ontario Review Board.

The accused was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder for sexual assault.

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

Relying on expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found that the accused's schizoaffective disorder and cannabis use disorder rendered him highly likely to act out violently when symptomatic.

The Board concluded that the accused posed a significant threat to public safety and ordered a detention disposition with conditions, including prohibitions on contact with persons under 16 years of age.

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

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for multiple offences including break and enter and assault.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his schizoaffective disorder and substance use issues.

The Board ordered the maintenance of the current detention order at the Secure Forensic Unit, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for assault, assault with a weapon, assault against a police officer, and committing indecent acts.

At the initial disposition hearing, the Ontario Review Board found that the accused poses a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his schizophrenia and severe substance use disorder, which previously led to rapid psychotic decompensation and violence.

The Board ordered a detention order with permission to reside in supervised community accommodation, subject to conditions including absolute abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code.

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for first-degree murder and is currently subject to a detention order.

The hospital and parties jointly submitted that the detention order should be maintained.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his severe delusional disorder and neurocognitive disorder.

The Board ordered that the detention order be maintained on the same terms and conditions while the hospital seeks an appropriate long-term care placement.

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

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and was subject to a detention disposition.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his bipolar disorder, history of treatment noncompliance, and cannabis use.

However, noting his recent stability, treatment compliance, and lack of active symptoms, the Board concluded that his risk could be adequately managed in the community.

The Board ordered a conditional discharge with conditions including treatment compliance, abstention from cannabis, and a requirement to report to the hospital for assessment if directed.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for attempted murder, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for an annual review of his conditional discharge.

The Board considered whether he remained a significant threat to public safety.

Relying on uncontroverted expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused remained a significant threat due to treatment-resistant schizophrenia and ongoing issues with medication adherence.

However, acknowledging his 12 years of sobriety, the Board continued the conditional discharge but removed the condition requiring urine and breath samples.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's conditional discharge.

The accused, who suffers from a progressive neurocognitive disorder, was previously found unfit to stand trial on sexual offences.

The Board found that the accused remains permanently unfit to stand trial as his poor memory prevents meaningful communication with counsel.

The Board also concluded that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, as he requires placement in a long-term care facility where he could potentially come into contact with children.

The Board ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge with a minor variation.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, had recently been found NCR on new charges in Quebec and was subject to a disposition by the Tribunal Administratif du Québec.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to her risk of decompensation and violence when non-compliant with medication.

The Board ordered a continued detention order with community living privileges, added Hôpital Pierre-Janet as approved accommodation, and recommended her transfer to the Province of Quebec.

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

The accused, who has treatment-resistant schizophrenia and a substance use disorder, was previously found not criminally responsible for sexual assault and indecent acts.

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

The Board ordered a continued detention order with permission to reside in the community in approved accommodation, with minor amendments to conditions regarding cannabis and alcohol access.

The Ontario Review Board held a Restriction of Liberty hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder.

The accused, who suffers from schizophrenia and an intellectual disability, was transferred to a more secure unit after absconding from the hospital while on an escorted walk.

The Board found that the restriction of liberty was appropriate and the least onerous measure available, and that continued admission remains necessary to stabilize her psychotic symptoms and secure suitable housing.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the hospital's decision to restrict the liberty of the accused, who had previously been found not criminally responsible.

The accused's liberty was restricted when he was transferred to the Forensic Assessment Unit and his community passes were revoked following an involuntary admission under the Mental Health Act due to active psychotic symptoms and aggressive behaviour.

The Board found that the restriction of liberty was significant, necessary, and appropriate, representing the least onerous and least restrictive measure to ensure public safety.

The accused was found not criminally responsible (NCR) for offences including assault with a weapon after stabbing a neighbour during a substance-induced psychotic episode.

At the initial Ontario Review Board disposition hearing, the Board adopted a joint submission from the parties.

Based on the undisputed psychiatric evidence, the Board concluded that the accused continues to present a significant threat to public safety due to his severe mental disorder and substance abuse issues.

A detention order was imposed with conditions to facilitate his gradual rehabilitation and reintegration.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault and weapons offences due to schizophrenia.

The accused remained clinically stable on injectable medication but continued to use stimulants and denied her substance use disorder.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to the risk of decompensation and violence if she stops medication or increases substance use.

The Board ordered a continued conditional discharge but removed the strict abstention and weapons conditions to better assess her ability to manage her consumption in the community.

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

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for various offences, had experienced multiple rapid decompensations and hospitalizations over the past year linked to cannabis use and medication non-compliance.

Relying on expert psychiatric evidence, the Board concluded that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his lack of insight and rapid decompensation.

The Board ordered that a Detention Order is the least onerous and restrictive disposition necessary to manage his risk.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for firearms offences.

The accused, diagnosed with Bipolar Mood Disorder and substance use disorders, had made significant progress over the past year, including building a relationship of trust with his treatment team and maintaining sobriety.

However, the Board found that he continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public due to the risk of relapse and subsequent manic episodes.

The Board ordered the continuation of his detention order with conditions allowing him to travel and reside in the community, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and a restriction of liberty hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for abduction and other offences.

The accused had repeatedly breached hospital rules, relapsed into substance abuse, and evaded apprehension after being discharged from a residential treatment program.

The hospital sought to continue the detention order and requested a transfer to the Brockville Mental Health Centre due to the accused's allegations of assault by a co-patient.

The Board maintained the detention order, found the restriction of liberty necessary and appropriate, but denied the transfer request, concluding that a treatment impasse had not been established and the accused still had a working connection with her current treatment team.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for violent offences including assault with a weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, had been living in the community on a conditional discharge.

The hospital and parties recommended continuing the conditional discharge with reduced reporting and the removal of the urine drug screen (UDS) requirement.

The Board found the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to ongoing ambivalence toward medication and lack of insight into the risks of cannabis use.

The Board ordered a continued conditional discharge, reducing reporting frequency to monthly but maintaining the random UDS testing requirement to monitor abstinence.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm and weapons offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and severe substance use disorders, had repeatedly absconded from the hospital, consumed illicit drugs, and committed new offences in Quebec.

The Board found the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered continued detention, revoked community living privileges, and recommended an interprovincial transfer to a psychiatric hospital in Quebec.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for sexual and assault offences.

The accused, who suffers from a moderate intellectual disability and a congenital brain tumor, had been detained at a forensic psychiatric hospital.

The hospital and all parties jointly submitted that the accused continued to pose a significant threat to public safety but had made recent progress in managing his behavior.

The Board accepted the joint submission, finding that the accused remained a significant threat under the Winko test.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order, while strongly encouraging the hospital to find an appropriately supervised community placement for the accused.