Re: James MacLeod
ORB File No: 8051
Hearing held on: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Place of hearing: Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences 700 Gordon Street, Whitby
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. M.D. Segal
Members: Dr. S. Nagari (via Zoom) Dr. M. Choptiany Ms. J. Greenwood Ms. C. Plyley
Parties Appearing:
Accused: James MacLeod Counsel: Ms. Victoria Strugurescu
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Dr. DeFreitas
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. N. MacDonald
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated November 14, 2025)
Introduction
On April 4, 2022, James MacLeod was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on a charge of murder, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. Mr. MacLeod is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (the “Board”) dated October 25, 2024, detaining him at the Ontario Shores Centre for Health Sciences (“Ontario Shores” or “the hospital”) with privileges up to and including the ability to enter the community escorted or accompanied by staff, and subject to a number of conditions.
Mr. MacLeod was transferred to Ontario Shores from Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care on November 18, 2024, pursuant to last year’s disposition.
On September 18, 2025, a panel of the Board convened to review Mr. MacLeod’s Disposition pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. Mr. MacLeod was present for his hearing and was represented by counsel throughout the proceedings. Mr. MacLeod’s mother and father were both present at the hearing in support of him. During the hearing, Mr. MacLeod requested to be excused, and his Counsel advised that she was fully instructed to proceed. The board permitted Mr. MacLeod to be absent for the remainder of the hearing.
The Board marked the Hospital Report dated August 22, 2025, as Exhibit 1, and had the benefit of last year’s Disposition, and Reasons for Disposition.
Issues at the Hearing
- The issues to be determined are whether Mr. MacLeod poses a significant threat to the safety of the public, and if so, the necessary and appropriate disposition to manage that risk having regard to the criteria set out in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
Position of the Parties
At the commencement of the hearing, Dr. DeFreitas on behalf of the Hospital submitted that Mr. MacLeod continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and that he should be ordered detained at the forensic service of Ontario Shores with privileges up to and including the ability to reside in the community.
Counsel for the Attorney General and counsel for Mr. MacLeod agreed with the Hospital’s submission, and joined the hospital, with the exception of the inclusion of Term (e). Ms. MacDonald submitted that Mr. MacLeod should be accompanied by staff or an approved person, and if permitted to live in the community, he should reside in supervised accommodations in the community.
Counsel for Mr. MacLeod joined in the hospital’s position. All parties maintained their respective positions in closing submissions.
For the reasons that follow, the Board finds that Mr. MacLeod continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the necessary and appropriate disposition is detention within the forensic service at Ontario Shores with privileges up to and including the ability to live in the community among other conditions.
Current Psychiatric Diagnosis
- Schizophrenia
Cannabis Use Disorder (moderate)