Natalie C. MacDonald

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for attempted murder and assault with a weapon.

The accused, who suffers from schizophrenia, had been compliant with treatment and transitioned well to living in the community.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties, finding that while the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, a conditional discharge is the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to protect the public.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assaulting a peace officer and failing to comply with probation.

The accused suffers from schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and a substance abuse disorder.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties, supported by the attending psychiatrist's evidence, that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered a continuation of the Detention Order with increased privileges, including community living in approved accommodations and passes for up to 72 hours, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault and weapons offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorders, had recently discontinued mood-stabilizing medications without consulting her treatment team and continued to struggle with substance abuse.

The Board accepted the hospital's evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition available.

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

The accused suffers from schizophrenia and a substance use disorder.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public due to residual psychotic symptoms, a history of medication non-compliance, and a risk of rapid decompensation.

The Board ordered the continuation of the accused's detention order at the hospital, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to manage his risk, despite his recent transition to a community group home.

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

The accused, who suffers from schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, had recently transitioned to a community group home but continued to experience residual psychotic symptoms.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties and the hospital's psychiatric evidence, finding that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered that the existing Detention Order be continued to ensure adequate supervision and the ability to expeditiously readmit the accused if his mental state decompensates.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for weapons and assault offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and severe substance use disorders, had a history of violent behaviour and frequent relapses into illicit substance use while detained at the hospital.

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

The Board ordered the continuation of his Detention Disposition, with an added term allowing him to attend a residential treatment program for up to three months to address his addiction challenges.

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

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for various violent offences, suffers from treatment-resistant schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

The Board accepted the hospital's evidence that the accused continues to experience psychotic symptoms and would pose a significant threat to public safety if not subject to a Detention Order.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order to manage his risk while he awaits transition to supported community housing.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found unfit to stand trial on a murder charge due to treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

The Board found the accused remains unfit to stand trial as he cannot meaningfully participate or understand the proceedings.

The Board ordered continued detention on a Forensic Service unit, declining to add a community living clause as it was premature given the accused's need for intensive staff support and lack of readiness for indirect privileges.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for failing to comply with probation.

The accused has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a history of substance abuse and violence towards his family when unwell.

While he has been compliant with his medication under substitute consent, he continues to experience delusions and has recently tested positive for cocaine on multiple occasions.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered the continuation of his existing Detention Order, concluding that a conditional discharge or civil committal would not adequately manage his risk.

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

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault, has treatment-resistant schizophrenia but has remained stable and symptom-free on medication.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety but, relying on the joint position of the parties and psychiatric evidence, ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge with relaxed conditions, including reduced reporting frequency and the removal of residence and consent to treatment clauses.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition and reviewed a restriction of his liberty following an unauthorized leave of absence.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for uttering threats, suffers from treatment-resistant schizophrenia and has a history of substance use.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his ongoing psychotic symptoms, limited insight, and risk of decompensation.

The Board maintained the Detention Order and concluded that the hospital's temporary cancellation of his indirectly supervised passes was reasonable, warranted, and the least restrictive measure available.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for assaulting police.

The accused has diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorder.

While the accused had a generally positive year with no violent incidents and good medication compliance, a recent relapse into substance use demonstrated ongoing risk.

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

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order with the addition of indirectly supervised community access, 7-day passes, and a community living privilege to motivate further progress.

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

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm and robbery, suffers from schizophrenia, cannabis use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties, supported by the treating psychiatrist's evidence, that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to ongoing verbal aggression, illicit substance use, and complex medical needs.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for sexual assault.

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

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his brittle mental illness, recent substance use relapses, and lack of insight.

The Board ordered the continuation of his Detention Order, concluding that a conditional discharge would be insufficient to manage his risk.

Jason Bakker, previously found not criminally responsible for assault, underwent an annual review of his disposition by the Ontario Review Board.

The hospital and Crown sought a continuation of his detention order, while the accused requested an absolute discharge.

The Board accepted the psychiatric evidence that the accused suffers from treatment-resistant schizophrenia, lacks insight, and has a history of medication non-compliance and violence.

The Board concluded that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of the detention order to ensure adequate supervision and risk management.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following multiple findings of not criminally responsible for violent offences.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his schizophrenia and susceptibility to stress-induced psychosis.

The Board ordered his continued detention at the hospital with privileges for community living in 24-hour supervised accommodation.

The Board also removed a mandatory random drug testing clause from the disposition and declined to impose a no-contact order regarding children.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been detained at Ontario Shores.

The treatment team, Crown, and defence jointly submitted that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety but recommended a lateral outpatient transfer to CAMH once suitable community housing is found.

The Board accepted the joint submission, noting the accused's significant rehabilitation progress and strong family support, and ordered the transfer to facilitate community reintegration.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for arson, was subject to an annual review of his conditional discharge.

The hospital initially recommended an absolute discharge but changed its position after learning the accused intended to use cannabis and had already begun doing so covertly.

The Review Board found that the accused's change in intention regarding substance use, combined with his history of psychosis and the potential for paranoia, meant he continued to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge with amendments to allow the treatment team to monitor his risk.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault due to schizophrenia.

The accused was residing in the community on a conditional discharge.

The treatment team and all parties agreed that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public, particularly because she is 'quietly psychotic' and has stated she would stop taking her medication if granted an absolute discharge.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current conditional discharge without amendment.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual disposition hearing for the accused, who was previously found unfit to stand trial on two charges of assault.

The accused's attending psychiatrist testified that she continues to lack insight into her charges and remains unfit to stand trial, though she has been successfully residing in the community with support.

The Board unanimously accepted the uncontroverted medical opinion, finding the accused remains unfit to stand trial, and ordered the continuation of her current disposition without amendment.