Ontario Review Board
Re: Laurianne Munezero
ORB File No: 7014
Hearing held on: Monday, March 24, 2025
Place of hearing: St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. M.D. Segal
Members: Dr. B. Sheppard Dr. G. Stones Mr. K. McKenna Ms. M. McKinnon
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Laurianne Munezero Counsel: Mr. A. Confente
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Ms. L. Barney
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. J. McKenzie
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated April 28, 2025)
Introduction
[1]. Laurianne Munezero, age 41 was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on August 10, 2016, on a charge of arson - disregard for human life, contrary to the Criminal Code.
[2]. On March 24, 2025, Ms. Munezero appeared for her annual hearing before the Ontario Review Board (the “Board”) at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton (the “hospital”). As Exhibit 1, the Board had the Hospital Report dated February 24, 2025. Ms. Munezero is subject to a Detention Order dated April 2, 2024.
[3]. In preliminary positions the hospital, supported by Crown counsel, advanced a continuation of the current Disposition. Mr. A. Confente, the patient’s counsel, sought a Conditional Discharge. The Board ultimately agreed that a Detention Order continued to be the necessary and appropriate disposition. In furtherance of the requirement that the disposition be the least restrictive and least onerous disposition, the Board agreed to three changes:
a) Clause 2(h) would now allow for travel passes as described in last year's Disposition but increased to 14 days;
b) Reporting would now occur at least three times per month; and
c) The non-attendance clause would now specify the address as 100 Bay Street, Hamilton.
Index Offence
[4]. The circumstances of the index offence are excerpted from last year's Reasons for Disposition, as follows:
“On Friday December 26th, 2014, the Hamilton Police Service along with the Hamilton Fire Department, attended 100 Bay Street South, in the City of Hamilton, in regard to a fire in apartment #402.
Fire and Police arrived on scene at 8:15 p.m. and removed a female, later identified as Laurianne Munezero, from apartment #402, where the fire initiated. The hallway on the 4th floor was black and filled with heavy smoke which originated from apartment #402. Several other people were treated on scene due to smoke inhalation, including [D.O.] and [M.G.]. Another victim, [M.P.] was transported to the hospital to be treated.
Statements were obtained from the victims, witnesses and FIRE personnel and it was learned that Munezero was seen in the hallway just outside of her apartment door, where a small fire had been set in the hallway. She was witnessed by her neighbours in the hallway, as they could smell smoke and heard the alarm ringing, and upon exiting their apartment to check the hall, Munezero was standing over a small fire.
FIRE arrived on the 4th floor and Munezero was seen running into her apartment from the hallway. FIRE entered apartment #402 and Munezero was observed by FIRE lying on a fully engulfed couch and upon trying to remove Munezero from her apartment, she fought with FIRE. Once outside the unit, Munezero made attempts to light herself and FIRE personnel on fire with a lighter. The lighter was seized by FIRE and turned over to police.
Munezero was transported to the Hamilton General Hospital with 30-35% of her body burned (2nd and 3rd degree). She is currently a patient in the Burn Unit and has been in an induced coma since December 26th, 2014. Upon being brought out of the coma, Munezero will be charged with Arson - Disregard for Human Life. A Conditional
Release will be requested with a condition for Munezero to have a mandatory mental assessment, as well she may not have any lighters, matches or incendiary material.
A 487 Criminal Code Search Warrant was written and granted by Justice of the Peace C.J. Dube of Newmarket. The warrant was executed, and the investigation conducted along with the Ontario Fire Marshall Gregory Olson.
Munezero is still in the hospital however a warrant for her arrest is being requested, should she be released from hospital prior to police being notified of her discharge. Munezero is being charged with Arson - Disregard for Human Life, Bail Opposed."
Current Diagnoses
[5]. Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar type
Cannabis Use Disorder, in sustained remission in a controlled environment
[6]. The Hospital Report outlines Ms. Munezero's history and background and need not be repeated here in detail. Ms. Munezero was born in Burundi and immigrated to Canada with her parents and three younger siblings when she was 12 years old. Ms. Munezero married when she was 20 years old. Her marriage ended ten years later after the onset of her major mental illness. Ms. Munezero has no children.
[7]. Ms. Munezero completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in linguistics from the University of Ottawa. She is fluent in French and English. She has held several administrative positions in federal organizations including the Federal Government and the Bank of Canada. At the time of the index offence, Ms. Munezero was employed as a customer service representative for an insurance company. She is described as a social person who has always maintained many friendships.
[8]. Ms. Munezero's first psychiatric admission was in 2009 at which time she was admitted to the Ottawa Hospital with a two-month history of auditory hallucinations and paranoid delusions. She was discharged on long-acting haloperidol and with a treatment plan but was not reliably adherent to her treatment and experienced several relapses of her illness. She was rehospitalized on four occasions at the Ottawa Hospital with symptoms of psychosis including auditory hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and disorganized thinking.
[9]. When living in Hamilton Ms. Munezero received pharmacological treatment from her family physician. However, that treatment was subsequently found to be inadequate to maintain her mental stability.
[10]. Because of the injuries she sustained at the time of the index offence, Ms. Munezero was admitted to the Hamilton General Hospital for treatment for burns. She remained in hospital for approximately two months. Subsequently, she was placed on a Community Treatment Order (CTO). Although she had regular psychiatric treatment, she required hospitalization several times after the index offence and prior to the finding of NCR in August 2016.
[11]. Prior to the index offence, Ms. Munezero did not have a criminal record. Ms. Munezero is diagnosed as suffering from Schizoaffective Disorder-Bipolar Type.
Evidence at Hearing
[12]. Dr. K. Naidoo, the patient’s psychiatrist since 2018, testified. According to Dr. Naidoo, it has been a relatively good year. Ms. Munezero continues to reside at Emmaus Place. She has resided there since July 2023. There have been no psychotic events over the past year. Ms. Munezero works well with her outpatient team, attending all appointments. There has been no major deterioration in her mental state this past year which is in contrast to previous years. There have been some adjustments to her medication and dosage.
[13]. Ms. Munezero has benefited greatly from her residential placement. She keeps a neat and tidy apartment. She has positive relationships with her parents in Cornwall. There have been a number of successful passes to visit her family and friends in Cornwall, Ottawa and Quebec. Ms. Munezero has a new romantic relationship.
[14]. One area of continued concern is the issue of sleep. This has been an ongoing problem Despite medication and psychoeducation, her sensitivity to sleep disruption persists. CBT for insomnia is about to begin. Ms. Munezero's sleep variation is significant. Sleep issues seem to have resulted in psychotic symptoms appearing and rehospitalization. Hospitalization is quite traumatic for this patient due to her contamination phobia regarding germs and bacteria. In her history are two prior occasions where she left hospital against medical advice.
[15]. Ms. Munezero is quite intelligent. She speaks three languages. She has a work history. She is adept at finding work opportunities and volunteering. The issue of commitment to those opportunities is a bigger challenge.
[16]. When on the unit she has been substance free.
[17]. Ms. Munezero has a history of asking to be taken off medication or requesting changes of doses.
[18]. In the doctor's view, her illness is brittle. Currently, Ms. Munezero is on risperidone and Epival. Seroquel was recently added. So far, so good with the patient's depressive lows less pronounced.
[19]. Ms. Munezero has tried all manner of sleep medication and therapies. There has been consideration of a computerized watch to assist her with sleep but the payment by the patient is a current barrier.
[20]. This past year there have been “blips” of psychosis. When that happens, there is a danger to the public. For example, on one occasion, Ms. Munezero was driving erratically thinking that members of the public were ghosts.
[21]. Typically, her current residence is only available to patients for up to two years but agreement has been reached to permit the patient to stay on. Her status at the residence would not change if she were on a Conditional Discharge.
[22]. There is a tendency for Ms. Munezero to make dramatic medication requests.
[23]. In the doctor’s view, a Conditional Discharge would be inappropriate. The patient has a history of not staying in hospital under the Mental Health Act. Twice the hospital has had to go to the Board to seek detention orders. Ms. Munezero has a history of litigating her capacity before the Consent and Capacity Board. The Mental Health Act would be inadequate to ensure stability in hospital if there was deterioration. The doctor was concerned that it granted a Conditional Discharge Ms. Munezero would relapse and begin using substances again.
[24]. Ms. Munezero’s current placement does a good job of communicating with the hospital.
[25]. Even if there was a residence clause in a Conditional Discharge, the doctor believes that Ms. Munezero would want to leave. There is ongoing need to adjust medications while avoiding drowsiness.
[26]. Ms. Munezero occasionally has bursts of energy very late at night.
[27]. Ms. Munezero still represents a significant threat as set out in the Hospital Report.
[28]. Ms. Munezero's capacity to consent fluctuates. Her insight varies. Ms. Munezero has seen the benefit of health supports on people close to her. However, she has difficulty applying those benefits to her own circumstances.
[29]. Though the doctor agrees certain modifications can be made to the privilege envelope, he would not go so far as supporting travel other than in Ontario and Quebec. The travel zone changes would be too much to handle.
[30]. Currently, Ms. Munezero’s therapeutic relationship with the forensic team is excellent.
[31]. The sleep disorder could be a symptom of schizophrenia or arise independently. Increased activity at night could be a by-product of hypomania.
[32]. In the upcoming year, there will be continued attention to treating the sleep issue. There will also be an emphasis on volunteering. Formal cognitive testing has occurred but not recently.
Analysis
[33]. Ms. Munezero has had a good year. However, her illness is fragile. She has an ongoing serious sleep disorder that can lead to impulsive behaviour. When unwell she represents a danger to the public. The incident regarding driving while thinking people were ghosts is a good example. The panel is of the view that significant threat continues to be made out. We commend Ms. Munezero’s continued working with the forensic team and wish her a good year. The current Disposition with the three modifications continues to be the least onerous and least restrictive Disposition consistent with the patient’s rehabilitation and the primacy of safety to the public.
DATED this 28th day of April 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Region of Toronto.
Mr. M.D. Segal Alternate Chairperson
Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board