Natalie C. MacDonald

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for various offences including arson and assault.

The hospital and Crown recommended maintaining the current detention disposition with an added privilege for discharge planning passes.

The accused requested the removal of the prohibition on cannabis use.

The Board found the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and maintained the cannabis prohibition, noting its historical contribution to his psychotic deterioration and violence.

The disposition was maintained with the added pass privilege.

The accused was found not criminally responsible in 2018 for uttering death threats and was subject to an Ontario Review Board disposition.

At his annual review, the hospital, the accused, and the Attorney General jointly submitted that he no longer posed a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board accepted the joint submission, noting that the accused's schizophrenia had been in remission since 2019, he was compliant with treatment, and he had strong family and community support.

The Board ordered an absolute discharge.

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for arson and was subject to a Disposition hearing before the Ontario Review Board.

The accused suffers from ultra-treatment-resistant schizoaffective disorder and recently engaged in an unprovoked assault on a security guard driven by psychosis.

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

A Detention Order was maintained with no changes to the previous terms and conditions.

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

The accused had been living in the community on a Conditional Discharge but experienced significant instability over the past year, including medication non-compliance, substance use, and housing loss.

The Attorney General sought a Detention Order, while the hospital and the accused sought to maintain the Conditional Discharge.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety but concluded that her risk could still be managed in the community.

The Conditional Discharge was maintained without changes.

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

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

The hospital, Crown, and accused's counsel all supported continuing the current conditional discharge.

The Board accepted the hospital's evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and would likely discontinue medication and relapse into substance use without the Board's oversight.

The Board ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for sexual assault.

The accused is currently subject to a conditional discharge and faces a deportation order due to a prior conviction, which he is appealing.

The hospital and parties jointly submitted that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to stressors related to his immigration status, lack of health coverage, and need for psychiatric follow-up.

The Board accepted the joint submission to continue the conditional discharge but declined to order a six-month review, finding it more appropriate for the parties to apply for an early hearing once the accused's appeal and immigration status are resolved.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing to review the accused's fitness to stand trial on charges of assault and assault with a weapon.

The accused, who has treatment-resistant schizophrenia and a mild intellectual disability, had previously been found unfit.

Based on the hospital report and psychiatric testimony, the Board found that the accused now has a reality-based understanding of the proceedings, the roles of the parties, and the possible consequences.

The Board concluded the accused is fit to stand trial and remitted the matter back to court for adjudication.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assaulting a peace officer and aggravated assault.

The accused had recently been discharged from the hospital to a 24-hour supervised care facility where his psychotic symptoms had significantly abated.

The Board accepted the joint position of the parties, finding that while the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, his risk is adequately managed in the community.

The Board ordered a conditional discharge with a requirement to reside at the supervised facility.

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

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia, severe substance use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.

The treatment team reported positive progress despite some incidents of aggression and a recent altercation with a co-patient.

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

The Board ordered that the accused remain subject to a detention order at the hospital with no changes to the current disposition, which includes provisions for community living when appropriate.

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.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment and failing to comply with release orders.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, resides in independent housing but requires ongoing supervision and medication.

All parties jointly submitted, and the Board agreed, that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of her current disposition, which includes detention at the hospital with privileges to live in the community, without change.

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

He has diagnoses of schizophrenia and substance use disorder.

The Board found that he continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to ongoing auditory hallucinations, limited insight, and the severity of his index offence.

The Board ordered a continuation of his Detention Disposition at the Forensic Service of Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, noting his positive progress but emphasizing the need for a gradual and cautious increase in privileges.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for arson and assault.

The accused suffers from Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia and Cannabis Use Disorder, and has a history of medication non-compliance and substance use while in the hospital.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to her lack of insight and risk of decompensation if unsupervised.

The Board ordered a continued Detention Disposition at the hospital, with the addition of a community living clause to motivate the accused and allow the clinical team to seek 24-hour supervised housing.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his major mental illness, severe substance use history, and poor insight.

The Board ordered a continuation of his detention at the Forensic Service of Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for arson.

The accused, who has schizophrenia, had been residing in supportive housing and remaining compliant with medication.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his lack of insight into his illness and the impact of substance use.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge with conditions, including that he reside in approved housing and have no contact with the victims.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorders, had his liberty restricted after relapsing on crack cocaine and exhibiting erratic behaviour in the community.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public, particularly when using substances.

The Board ordered a continued Detention Disposition at the hospital and found the restriction of liberty was necessary and appropriate.

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

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment, has a diagnosis of Schizophrenia and continues to experience auditory hallucinations.

Following two recent elopements from the hospital and ongoing behavioural issues, the Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered a Detention Disposition within a Secure Forensic Unit and declined to remove the condition requiring supervision of the accused's electronic devices.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for causing a disturbance, disarming a peace officer, and failing to comply with probation.

At the initial disposition hearing, the Ontario Review Board found that the accused, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder and severe polysubstance abuse disorder, continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered that the accused be detained on a General Forensic Unit at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, in accordance with the joint submission of the parties.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for robbery and other offences.

The accused has schizoaffective disorder and continues to experience auditory command hallucinations.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to his chronic, treatment-resistant mental illness and poor insight.

The Board ordered a continuation of the Detention Disposition within the Forensic Program at Ontario Shores, with privileges up to living in the community in supervised accommodation, as the least onerous and least restrictive disposition to manage his risk.

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

The accused has diagnoses of Schizoaffective Disorder and Cannabis Disorder.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public, noting that his mental state deteriorates and his risk increases when he uses cannabis.

The Board ordered a continued Detention Disposition at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, and granted the accused's request for a transfer to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to better support his reintegration and access to community resources.