Ontario Review Board
Re: Mr. Adam Alishaw
ORB File No. 7568
Hearing Date: January 28, 2025
Hearing Location: St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, West 5th Campus
Pursuant to: ss. 672.81(1) Criminal Code of Canada;
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. J. Weinstein
Members: Dr. R. Buckingham Dr. L. O. Lightfoot Ms. B. Little Mr. K. McKenna
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Mr. Adam Alishaw Counsel: Mr. S. Proudlove
The Person in charge of Hospital: Counsel: Mr. S. O’Brien
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. A. Lepchuk
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated March 25, 2025)
Introduction
Mr. Alishaw was found not criminally responsible (NCR) on July 3, 2019, for the criminal code offence of 2nd degree murder.
He is currently subject to a detention order under a Disposition dated November 30, 2023, with privileges that extend to living in the community of Southern Ontario in accommodation approved by the person in charge.
A panel of the Ontario Review Board convened this annual hearing on January 28, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, West 5th Campus (St. Joseph’s) to review the current Disposition pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Mr. Alishaw was in attendance as was his aunt, Ms. Khairullah, by videoconferencing.
At the commencement of the hearing, the Hospital was recommending a continuation of the detention order, with no changes to the terms and conditions. Counsel for the Attorney-General and for Mr. Alishaw supported this recommendation.
After considering the evidence, the panel concluded that Mr. Alishaw is a significant threat to the safety of the public, and that a continuation of the current Disposition was necessary and appropriate.
Index Offence
- On May 3, 2018, Mr. Alishaw beat his father with a hammer causing his death. He called the police to advise that he had just killed someone.
Evidence
The evidence at this hearing consisted of the Hospital Report (the Report), dated January 2, 2025, and the testimony of Dr. Naidoo.
The Hospital Report was prepared for this hearing, and contains a detailed review of Mr. Alishaw’s personal and mental health history.
His parents separated when he was 11 years of age, and he then resided with both his mother and maternal grandmother. In his early teenage years, Mr. Alishaw began to experiment with street drugs; and his behaviour became more oppositional and belligerent. At 13 years of age, he lived with his father, but returned to live with his mother after one year.
The Report notes that in 2014, a paternal aunt lived with Mr. Alishaw and his father. She became afraid of Mr. Alishaw and moved out of the home.
Mr. Alishaw was a good student in his early years in school, but became more oppositional in grade 7. He was expelled from High School for pushing the principal.
He did not complete High School, and has a modest work history. He is not married and does not have children.
Mr. Alishaw has had limited involvement with the criminal justice system, but does have convictions as both a youth and as an adult.
He has a significant history of drug abuse. He started using marijuana at the age of 13, and started using methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) at 17. He used crystal methamphetamine and marijuana regularly until 2017. He also reported experimenting with ecstasy, cocaine, psilocybin, dextromethorphan, Tylenol 3, oxycontin, and LSD. His alcohol consumption is described as occasional.
In 2010, Mr. Alishaw attempted suicide; and in 2011, he was admitted to the Child and Adolescent Inpatient Program at Grand River Hospital pursuant to a form 1 under the Mental Health Act due to suicidal ideation.
In 2014, he required emergency room care after a drug overdose and seizure. He discharged himself from hospital against medical advice.
In February 2016, Mr. Alishaw was admitted to the Forensic Assessment Unit of St. Joseph’s for an assessment of his fitness to stand trial on charges of uttering a threat to destroy property, assault with a weapon, breach probation, and fail to comply with recognizance. His behaviour in the hospital was described as bizarre. He appeared to be responding to internal stimuli, and laughing to himself. Seclusion and a chemical restraint were required on one occasion. Even with medication, his delusions and suspicions