Mélanie Lord

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

The accused, diagnosed with bipolar disorder and substance use disorders, had made progress but continued to struggle with cannabis use, alcohol, gambling, and aggressive behaviour.

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

The Board ordered that the current detention order at the secure forensic unit be maintained, with privileges up to and including community living in approved accommodation.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for various offences including assault and mischief, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for his first annual review.

The Board found that he continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his bipolar disorder and history of cannabis-induced psychosis.

However, given his psychiatric stability, compliance with medication, and abstention from cannabis over the past year, the Board concluded that the risk could be adequately managed in the community.

The Board ordered a conditional discharge with terms including monthly reporting and abstention from intoxicants.

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 accused, previously found not criminally responsible for mischief and an indecent act, was readmitted to the hospital following a decompensation in his mental health triggered by sub-optimal medication and cannabis use.

This readmission constituted a significant increase in the restriction of his liberty, triggering a mandatory hearing under s. 672.81(2.1) of the Criminal Code.

The Ontario Review Board found that the hospital's decision to readmit the accused was reasonable, warranted, and represented the least onerous and least restrictive course of action available to manage his risk and stabilize his condition.

The accused was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder for multiple offences including assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer.

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

The evidence indicated the accused suffers from schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorders, and has a concerning pattern of alcohol consumption that interferes with his treatment and assessment.

The Board found the accused meets the threshold for a significant threat to public safety and ordered a Detention Order Disposition with conditions, including a prohibition on the consumption of alcohol and intoxicating substances.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault and related offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, had been living independently in the community and demonstrated stability, insight, and medication compliance.

The Board found that the accused no longer posed a significant threat to the safety of the public and granted an absolute discharge.

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.

The Ontario Review Board convened a hearing to review the hospital's decision to significantly increase the restriction of the accused's liberty by readmitting him to the Forensic Assessment Unit following a severe drug overdose and subsequent aggressive behaviour.

The accused, who had been residing in the community, consumed a near-fatal amount of amphetamines and threatened his attending psychiatrist.

Applying the Campbell framework, the Board found that the readmission was a significant restriction of his liberty but was reasonable, warranted, and represented the least onerous and least restrictive course of action available to manage the heightened risk.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused previously found unfit to stand trial on breach of probation charges.

The hospital and Crown argued the accused remained permanently unfit and posed a significant threat to public safety, necessitating continued supervision.

The accused's counsel conceded permanent unfitness but argued the significant threat threshold was no longer met due to years of stability at a supervised group home.

The Board agreed with the accused, finding that while he remains permanently unfit due to a neurocognitive disorder, the risk of serious harm is speculative given his prolonged lack of aggression, medication compliance, and the ongoing authority of his wife as substitute decision-maker.

The Board concluded the accused does not pose a significant threat and remitted the matter to the court to consider a stay of proceedings.

The accused was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder for impaired driving and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial disposition hearing.

Based on expert psychiatric evidence and a joint submission from all parties, the Board found that the accused's Bipolar I Disorder was in full remission and well-managed with medication.

The Board concluded that the accused no longer presents a significant threat to the safety of the public and granted an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for indecent acts.

The accused, who has schizophrenia, a mild intellectual disability, and a severe substance use disorder, was recently discharged to a supervised group home.

The hospital recommended a harm-reduction approach allowing the accused to use cannabis in a controlled manner to help him abstain from stimulants, which severely impact his illness and could jeopardize his housing.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety but agreed to maintain the detention order with amended conditions permitting controlled cannabis use, noting no evidence linked his cannabis use to an increased risk of violence.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for assault offences, was living in the community under an Ontario Review Board disposition.

The hospital readmitted him, restricting his liberty, after his cannabis use and gambling addiction led to housing instability and an inability to pay rent.

The Board held a mandatory hearing to review the restriction of liberty.

The Board found that the restriction was warranted, necessary, and appropriate to protect public safety and address the accused's therapeutic needs, as his previous housing placement was inadequate.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and a restriction of liberty review for an accused found not criminally responsible for multiple offences including assault with a weapon.

The accused, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder and severe substance use disorders, had recently relapsed, leading to a restriction of his liberty and transfer to a secure unit.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties, finding that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety.

The Board concluded that a detention disposition remains necessary and appropriate, and that the restriction of liberty was justified and represented the least restrictive option available.

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

The hospital and the accused submitted that he no longer posed a significant threat to public safety, noting his three years of sobriety, stable mental state, and strong community support.

The Crown ultimately agreed.

Applying the Winko test, the Board found that the accused no longer posed a significant threat to public safety and ordered an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for three counts of first-degree murder due to schizophrenia.

The hospital and the Crown recommended a continued detention order with reduced reporting requirements and the removal of substance testing conditions, to which the accused consented.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his treatment-resistant illness and risk of rapid decompensation.

The Board ordered continued detention with the recommended changes to allow for gradual community reintegration.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for the accused, who was found not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm.

The accused remained detained at the hospital with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorder.

All parties agreed that the accused continued to pose a significant threat to public safety and that the current disposition of a Detention Order with privileges was appropriate.

The Board accepted the joint submission and maintained the current disposition.

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

The accused has been living in a transitional rehabilitative housing program and has remained stable, though he continues to struggle with financial difficulties, gambling, and a history of substance abuse.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of all parties and the hospital that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the present disposition, maintaining his detention at the hospital with privileges to live in approved community accommodation.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for first-degree murder, was readmitted to the hospital due to an increase in delusional symptoms, constituting a significant restriction of his liberty.

The Ontario Review Board convened a hearing under s. 672.81(2.1) of the Criminal Code to review the restriction.

Based on the evidence and a joint submission from the parties, the Board found that the readmission was reasonable, warranted, and the least restrictive course of action available to manage the increased risk posed by the accused's symptoms.