Natalie C. MacDonald

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and struggling with recent cocaine use and housing instability, sought a continuation of her Conditional Discharge.

The hospital and the Attorney General supported this position.

The Board found that while the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety, her risk is primarily to herself and can be adequately managed in the community.

The Board ordered the continuation of the Conditional Discharge as the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

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 a hearing to review the conditional discharge of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for arson.

The hospital and the Attorney General recommended continuing the conditional discharge but removing the abstinence and non-attendance clauses to allow the treatment team to monitor the accused's return to social alcohol use.

The accused sought an absolute discharge.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his schizophrenia, severe alcohol use disorder, and limited insight into how alcohol could destabilize his mental state.

The Board ordered a continuation of the conditional discharge with the amended terms recommended by the hospital.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory annual review of the accused's Detention Disposition.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm, has diagnoses of schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder.

Based on the hospital report, expert testimony, and a joint submission from the parties, the Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the Detention Disposition at the Secure Forensic Unit, with discretion to transfer to a General Forensic Unit as his condition improves.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for armed robbery and related offences.

The hospital and the Crown jointly recommended a conditional discharge, noting the accused's progress, medication adherence, and transition to a less supervised setting, while maintaining that he remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation and ordered a conditional discharge, finding that public safety would not be compromised.

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

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault offences and suffers from schizophrenia, sought an absolute discharge.

The hospital and the Attorney General recommended continuing the conditional discharge with added substance prohibitions, citing a recent incident where the accused relapsed into alcohol use, eloped, and became non-compliant with his medication.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety, as his alcohol use is integrally tied to medication non-compliance and elevated risk of harm.

The Board ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge with the recommended additional terms.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for causing a disturbance and disarming a peace officer.

The accused, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder and a severe substance use disorder, requested a conditional discharge.

The hospital and the Attorney General recommended maintaining the current detention order.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to her brittle mental illness and recent periods of decompensation despite medication adherence.

The Board concluded that a detention order at a general forensic unit remains the necessary and appropriate disposition, as the hospital requires the ability to approve and monitor her housing to manage her risk.

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, sought a conditional discharge.

The hospital and Attorney General recommended continuing the Detention Order with an added no-contact clause regarding her former psychiatrist, whom she had been harassing.

The Board found the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to her lack of insight, risk of medication noncompliance, and recent harassing behaviours.

The Board ordered the continuation of the Detention Order with the requested no-contact condition.

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

The accused suffers from ultra-treatment resistant schizoaffective disorder and continues to experience severe psychotic symptoms, including auditory hallucinations and a continued interest in fire.

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

The Board ordered that the accused remain subject to a Detention Disposition at the hospital with no changes to the current terms.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial hearing to determine whether the accused, who was charged with aggravated assault, remained unfit to stand trial.

The accused has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and experiences disorganized thinking.

Applying the test from R. v. Bharwani, the Board found that the accused remains unfit to stand trial as he lacks the ability to meaningfully participate in the court process and instruct counsel.

The Board ordered a Detention Order in the Forensic Service at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, adopting the joint recommendation of the parties as the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for mischief, criminal harassment, and break and enter.

At the initial disposition hearing, the Ontario Review Board found that the accused, who suffers from schizophrenia and polysubstance use disorder, poses a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the accused detained at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in a secure forensic unit, with conditions including indirectly supervised hospital and grounds privileges.

The accused was found not criminally responsible on a charge of attempted murder after shooting a victim in the chest.

At the initial disposition hearing before the Ontario Review Board, all parties jointly recommended a detention order.

The Board accepted the psychiatric evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to schizophrenia and substance use disorder.

The Board ordered the accused detained at the General Forensic Service of Ontario Shores with specified privileges and prohibitions.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused previously found unfit to stand trial on charges of breaking and entering and uttering threats.

The hospital and the Attorney General recommended continued detention on a Secure Forensic Unit with discretion to transfer to a General Forensic Unit.

The Board accepted the hospital's evidence that the accused remains unfit to stand trial and lacks insight into her illness.

Considering public safety, her mental condition, and reintegration needs, the Board ordered her continued detention on a Secure Forensic Unit with discretion to transfer.

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

The accused has diagnoses of treatment-resistant schizophrenia and substance use disorder.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties, finding that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to ongoing auditory hallucinations and recent substance use.

The Board ordered a continuation of the Detention Disposition at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.

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

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for assault and robbery.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his schizoaffective disorder, history of violence, and ongoing substance use issues.

The Board ordered that the accused remain subject to a detention order at the hospital, as a conditional discharge would not provide the necessary structure and supervision for his transition to the community.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for sexual assault and other offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and severe cannabis use disorder, requested a transfer to a different hospital and the removal of a cannabis prohibition from his disposition.

Relying on expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, as his cannabis use exacerbates his psychotic symptoms and increases his risk of violence.

The Board maintained the detention order and the cannabis prohibition, but granted the accused's request to transfer his care to St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's Disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for aggravated assault.

The accused, diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder with Catatonic Features, had transitioned well to community living and remained medication compliant.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his history of violence and risk of decompensation if non-compliant with medication.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge with strict conditions, including a residence requirement, travel restrictions, and a treatment condition, to safely manage his risk in the community.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for mischief endangering life, was subject to an annual review of his Detention Order by the Ontario Review Board.

The Board heard evidence from his treating psychiatrist that his schizophrenia and substance use disorders are currently in remission, and he has recently transitioned to community living.

However, he remains a significant threat to public safety due to his history of violence, substance use, and risk of medication non-compliance.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties to continue the Detention Order with a slight reduction in reporting frequency, finding that a Conditional Discharge would not provide sufficient oversight at this early stage of his community reintegration.

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

The accused suffers from treatment-resistant schizophrenia and a substance use disorder.

While the accused demonstrated significant improvement, including longer periods of abstinence and better engagement with her treatment team, she continues to lack insight into her illness and the need for medication.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of her detention disposition, with amendments to allow for extended community passes and the possession of a lighter or matches for smoking.

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

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his schizophrenia, history of substance use, and recent incidents of physical aggression and elopement.

The Board ordered that the accused remain subject to a detention order at the hospital, but amended his privileges to include community living approval to facilitate future housing waitlists and removed restrictions on his electronic communications.