Michael Baltzan Schloss

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

The accused sought a conditional discharge with a term allowing moderate alcohol consumption.

The Hospital and Attorney General sought to continue the existing detention order.

The Board accepted the uncontradicted psychiatric evidence that the accused's schizophrenia and substance use disorder require ongoing hospital supervision, and that any alcohol consumption would significantly increase his risk of violence.

The Board found the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and concluded that continuing the detention order without changes is the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The hospital requested an early hearing to amend the residency condition of the accused's conditional discharge.

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for robbery and other offences, had been accepted into a permanent community group home.

The out-patient psychiatrist testified that the move would not increase the accused's risk to the public.

The Ontario Review Board found that the transition did not pose a significant threat to public safety and granted the amendment to the disposition.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for various offences, including uttering threats and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The accused sought a Conditional Discharge, while the Hospital and Attorney General recommended continuing the existing Detention Order.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, primarily due to his escalating cannabis use, lack of insight, and history of non-compliance and reoffending while on prior discharges.

The Board concluded that a Conditional Discharge would not adequately manage the risk and ordered the continuation of the Detention Order.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, has been held in seclusion and strongly opposes long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication.

The Board accepted psychiatric evidence that the accused fabricates symptoms to avoid medication and would pose a significant threat to public safety if released from the highly structured environment.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Disposition and maintained its recommendation for an interprovincial transfer to Philippe-Pinel.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the disposition of an accused found not criminally responsible for sexual assault and forcible confinement.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and a severe polysubstance use disorder, sought a conditional discharge to reside with his mother.

The Hospital and the Attorney General argued for a continued detention disposition.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to residual symptoms, limited insight, and a lack of testing in the community.

The Board concluded that a detention disposition remains necessary and appropriate to manage the risk of decompensation and ensure public safety.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, polysubstance use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder, was residing in the community under a detention order.

The Board found that the accused lacks insight into his mental illness, the need for treatment, and the gravity of his index offences.

Applying the Winko framework, the Board concluded that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order with discretionary community living privileges.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm, was subject to an annual review hearing by the Ontario Review Board.

The Hospital and the Attorney General recommended continued detention, while the accused sought a conditional discharge.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his schizophrenia, limited insight, and upcoming transitions in housing and employment.

The Board ordered a continued detention order with reduced reporting requirements and added travel passes to Quebec.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault and failing to comply with probation.

The accused sought a conditional discharge, while the Hospital and Crown sought a continuation of the detention order.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to ongoing substance use, lack of insight, and the need for 24/7 supportive housing.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for two counts of second-degree murder.

The accused did not attend the hearing but was represented by counsel.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his major mental illness, substance use disorders, and recent incidents of physical aggression.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order at the hospital without changes to the terms and conditions, concluding that a highly structured and supervised environment remains necessary.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder, underwent an annual review hearing before the Ontario Review Board.

While conceding he remained a significant threat to public safety, the accused requested an amendment to his detention order to permit cannabis use, arguing it did not impact his mental health.

Relying on psychiatric evidence that cannabis use risks psychotic relapse and violence in individuals with a history of substance-induced psychosis, the Board rejected the request.

The Board concluded the accused remains a significant threat and ordered his continued detention under the existing strict conditions, including a prohibition on cannabis use.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found unfit to stand trial on charges of failing to comply with a recognizance.

The accused suffers from major neurocognitive disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and expressive aphasia following a stroke.

The Board accepted the joint position of the parties and the hospital's evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to unpredictable and aggressive behaviour stemming from his neurocognitive deficits.

The Board also found that the accused remains unfit to stand trial, as his severe communication barriers prevent him from instructing counsel or conducting a defence.

The Board ordered his continued detention at the forensic hospital.

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

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for multiple violent offences due to schizophrenia.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties and the evidence of the treating psychiatrist that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, particularly due to his history of absconding and substance use which precipitates psychosis.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention disposition at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the restriction of the accused's liberty after she was readmitted to the hospital following a positive urine drug screen for amphetamines.

The hospital, the Attorney General, and the accused jointly agreed that the initial restriction of liberty was necessary and appropriate.

The Board found that the restriction of liberty was significant, necessary, and appropriate for public safety, and represented the least onerous and least restrictive measure at the time it was imposed.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, had disengaged from rehabilitative programming and exhibited psychiatric instability.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his severe mental illness, lack of insight, and risk of medication non-compliance.

The Board ordered that the accused remain subject to a detention order at the hospital with privileges up to living in the community in approved accommodation.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for robbery and theft.

The accused, diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder, had been living in the community under a Detention Order.

The hospital and Crown sought a continuation of the Detention Order, while the accused sought a Conditional Discharge.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to residual psychosis and the risk of rapid decompensation if medication non-compliant.

However, the Board concluded that his risk could be safely managed under a Conditional Discharge with strict conditions, including a treatment condition, a residency requirement, and a condition requiring him to return to the hospital upon notice.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for attempted murder and other violent offences.

The hospital and Crown sought a continued Detention Order with a no-contact provision regarding the accused's ex-girlfriend, and a transfer to another facility.

The accused sought a Conditional Discharge and opposed the transfer.

The Board found the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his history of rapid decompensation and recent boundary issues with his ex-girlfriend.

The Board ordered a continued Detention Order with a no-contact provision, but denied the transfer, finding that remaining at his current supportive housing in Kingston was the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

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

The accused sought a conditional discharge or, alternatively, expanded travel privileges to visit family locally, attend a church trip in the US, and visit Ghana for six weeks.

The Hospital and Crown opposed a conditional discharge, arguing the accused's schizoaffective disorder causes rapid decompensation requiring hospital supervision.

The Board found the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and maintained the detention order.

However, the Board granted the requested travel privileges subject to strict safeguards, including the requirement that an approved person accompany her during travel.

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 of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for various offences.

The hospital and Crown recommended continued detention in a forensic unit, while the accused requested a four-day community pass to visit his grandmother.

The Board ordered continued detention, specifically directing placement in the General Forensic Unit rather than leaving the security level to the hospital's discretion.

The Board also granted a modified pass of up to 48 hours for the accused to visit his grandmother in the Niagara Region.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to determine whether the accused, who had previously been found unfit to stand trial on various property and breach charges, was now fit.

Based on the testimony of the treating psychiatrist, the Board found that the accused's mental state had stabilized with medication and abstinence from substances, giving her a reality-based understanding of the proceedings and the ability to instruct counsel.

The Board declared the accused fit to stand trial and issued a keep fit order to ensure she remains in hospital to maintain her fitness until her court appearance.