Ontario Review Board
Re: John Wren
ORB File No: 7359
Hearing held on: Monday, January 13, 2025
Place of Hearing: Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. P. Hageraats
Members: Dr. S. Lessard
Dr. R. Cormier
Mr. A. Bouvier
Parties Appearing:
Accused: John Wren
Counsel: Ms. M. Munsterman
The person in charge of hospital: Representative: Dr. J. Gojer
Attorney-General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. M. Dufort
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated March 6, 2025)
Introduction
On May 8, 2018, John Wren appeared in court on charges of uttering threat, failure to attend court and failure to comply with recognizance, offences contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.
The trial court received psychiatric evidence establishing that Mr. Wren was suffering from a serious mental disorder when he committed the index offences. Based on that evidence, the court ruled that he was not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (NCR).
Mr. Wren is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (ORB or “the Board”) dated December 6, 2023, discharging him on certain conditions.
On January 13, 2025, the Board convened at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (ROMHC or “the hospital”) to conduct an annual review. Mr. Wren appeared in person. He was represented by counsel, Ms. Marni Munsterman.
The Board received direct testimony from the attending psychiatrist, along with documentary evidence, including a hospital report, dated November 15, 2024.
The issues to be considered by the Board are whether Mr. Wren still presents a significant risk to the safety of the public, and if so, to determine the necessary and appropriate disposition.
Positions of the Parties
Counsel for Mr. Wren supported the hospital recommendation that Mr. Wren no longer presents a significant threat to the safety of the public and that he should be discharged with no conditions. Upon the completion of evidence, counsel appearing for the Attorney-General, Ms. Dufort, also agreed.
For the reasons set out below, the Board determined that Mr. Wren no longer presents a significant threat to public safety. He was granted an absolute discharge.
Current Psychiatric Diagnosis
Schizophrenia
Mr. Wren is treated with long-acting psychiatric medication, Trinza 263mg, administered once every 12 weeks.
Index Offences
- The circumstances are described in the hospital report and in last year’s reasons dated January 30, 2024. In summary:
On September 10, 2017, Mr. Wren told the complainants, 'I have a gun on you' and 'I am going to take you out,' The complainants feared Mr. Wren would carry out these threats as Mr. Wren’s behaviour had been escalating over the past two months.
On September 11, 2017, Mr. Wren was arrested by the tactical response unit. He was uncooperative with police, refusing to walk or stand on his own while yelling at the officers. He was charged with two counts of utter death threats and held on bail to answer to the charge on September 12, 2017.
On September 21,2017, Mr. Wren was released on a recognizance from bail court in Pembroke and ordered to appear in Renfrew on October 11, 2017.
On December 6, 2017, when Mr. Wren’s name was called by the court clerk, he had failed to appear before the court. As a result, a bench warrant was issued, and Mr. Wren was subsequently charged for failing to attend.
Personal History
Mr. Wren is 61. He grew up in Douglas, Ontario and is the second youngest of seven children. The mother stayed at home raising the children while the father worked in a local mill. Mr. Wren reported a happy childhood with many good memories. There was no reported abuse. Family members have said that Mr. Wren would have outbursts when he was a child. He would play the victim in some situations and not take responsibility for his actions. Although he never officially moved out of the family home, he would leave for periods of time when working in other cities. Mr. Wren has reported that he took care of his father before the father passed away. Family members have reported that Mr. Wren was living off his parents and, because he had no income, he depleted them of their finances. Mr. Wren believed his parents owed him because he was taking care of them.
When his parents passed away, Mr. Wren had to look for work. He did work off and on but was not able to hold onto jobs for that long. He did marry but separated less than a year later when his wife was pregnant. Later, a sibling signed over the family home to Mr. Wren. He has a son, Dylan, who he has not seen for many years.
Criminal History
- The hospital report notes that Mr. Wren was charged in 1983 with possession of a narcotic. In 2011, he