Ontario Review Board
Re: Adam Macey
ORB File No: 8155-8743
Hearing held on: Monday, April 14, 2025
Place of Hearing: Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Pursuant to: Sections 672.47(1) and 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. G. Beasley
Members: Dr. S. Lessard
Dr. R. Cormier
Mr. D. Sandor
Mr. A. Bernardo
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Adam Macey
Counsel: Ms. A. Dupras
Person in charge of hospital: Representative: Dr. J. Gojer
Attorney-General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. M. Dufort
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated June 10, 2025)
Introduction
On September 12th, 2022, the accused, Adam Macey, was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on charges of indecent act(x2), criminal harassment and breach of an undertaking, all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. Mr. Macey is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board dated March 14th, 2024. That Disposition detains Mr. Macey in the Secure Forensic Unit of the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre with privileges up to and including to reside in the community in accommodation approved by the person in charge.
Mr. Macey was again found not criminally responsible on January 13th, 2025 on charges of criminal harassment.
On April 14th, 2025, a panel of the Ontario Review Board convened at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, hereinafter referred to as the hospital, to conduct Mr. Macey’s annual review hearing pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code as well as the initial hearing on the new charges pursuant to s. 672.47(1) of the Criminal Code. Mr. Macey attended his hearing and was represented by his counsel, Ms. Audrey Dupras. Ms. Dufort appeared as counsel for the Attorney General of Ontario.
The following documents were entered as Exhibits at the hearing:
Revised Notice of Hearing
Disposition Hearing Outcome
CPIC
Synopsis
Most recent Decision
Most recent Reasons for Decision
Most recent Disposition
Most recent Reasons for Disposition
Transcripts
Information
Psychiatric Report
Hospital Report April 2025
The issues to be determined by the Board were whether Mr. Macey represents a significant threat to the safety of the public and, if so, to determine the necessary and appropriate disposition.
For the reasons set out below, the Board is unanimous in finding that Mr. Macey represents a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of the current detention order without amendment.
Index Offences
- The circumstances giving rise to the charges on the index offences for File 8155 are set out in last year’s Reasons for Disposition and summarized as follows:
“On March 9th, 2021 Natalie Tessier reported harassment by her former boyfriend, Mr. Macey. They had split up 15 years ago after a three-month dating period. She now has her own family with four children. She is afraid. The victim had blocked his Facebook approaches in January of 2021, but he persisted, including sending links to pornography videos and videos of him masturbating and various disturbing texts. In May 2021 he failed to attend court. He was on bail forbidding contact. On August 30, 2021 Mr. Macey’s mother called that her son was at her house and unwanted. He was in the midst of a schizophrenic episode. Mr. Macey was investigated and more obscene links and contacts to Ms. Tessier, the victim, were found. On June 28th and 29th he was found masturbating for ten minutes on each occasion in downtown Ottawa in front of others.”
- The circumstances giving rise for the charges on the finding of NCR on January 13th, 2025 are described in the hospital report dated March 24th, 2025 as follows:
“On March 20th, 2024, Cst. Lemoyre attended 850 McConnell Avenue, commonly known as the Mental Health Centre which contains offices for the ACT team. Cst. Lemoyre met with the victim, Trisha Samson, who is a registered nurse, as well as her manager, Julie Dumoulin, in regard to a client known as Adam Macey.
Trisha Samson provided a written statement outlining that she has received in her Facebook Messenger, numerous messages from Adam Macey, using username: "Tuutlage Manhattan". This profile shows a picture of Macey and throughout the written statement, Samson advised there is an audio recording as well as a selfie of Macey.
On January 10th, 2024, Macey started a conversation during which he expressed feelings for Samson and began sending:
Selfie's
Random photos of animation
Personal photos of Samson
Several pictures of an erect and semi-erect penis, believed to be Macey
Pictures of random kids
Several links for pornographic videos
Still photos of pornography
Cst. Lemoyre reviewed some of the messages that span from January 10th, 2024 until March 2nd, 2024, observing the photos depicted above.
Samson advised that she works across the street from where Macey lives, and that his irate behaviour has made her fearful. She is grossed out by the pornography, the photos depicting children, and the pictures he sent of his penis. It should be noted, the victim was adamant that she has not solicited or communicated with Macey in any unprofessional manner to warrant any such attention.
Samson’s account is consistent with another investigation, where a similar sequence of events took place with a different victim.
Based on the messages on March 2nd, 2024. Macey was apprehended on March 5th, 2024, and read him his full rights to counsel and caution to which he replied he understood. He indicated that he had also spoken to his lawyer. He was admitted to The Royal Ottawa for a psych evaluation on the same day of his arrest.
Criminal Record
- Prior to the commission of the index offences, Mr. Macey’s criminal record was as follows:
2006-11-23
Cornwall ONT
(Youth Justice Court)
(1) Possess of property obtained by crime – sec. 354(1)(A) CC
(2) Uttering forged document – sec.368 CC
(1-2) Probation 1 day on each charge conc.
2007-12-11
Cornwall, ONT
Fail to Appear –
Sec. 145(4)(B) CC
Cornwall Comm PS
1Day 7 (3 days pre-
Sentence custody)
2010-02-18
Cornwall ONT
Assault sec 266 CC
Susp sent & probation 12 MO(s) & discretionary order – sec 110 CC for 5 years
2014-03-21
Adult Court
Ottawa ONT
(1) Theft Under $5000
s. 334(B) CC
(2) Fail to Attend Court
SEC. 145(2)(A) CC
Ottawa Police Service
(1) $25 I-D 10 MO(s) &
Surcharge $7.50 – ID 10 MO(s)
(2) $25 I-D 10 MO(s) &
Surcharge $7.50 – ID 10 MO(s)
2014-06-04
Adult Court
Ottawa ONT
(1) Fail to attend court
Sec. 145(2)(B) CC
Ottawa Police Service
(3) 1 DAY(s) & surcharge $100 – I-D 6 MO(s) & (10 days pre-sentence custody)
2023-11-06
Cornwall ONT
(1) Criminal Harassment
Sec. 145(2)(B) CC
(2) Fail to comply with Order sec. 145(5)(A) CC
(3) Fail to comply with order
Sec. 145(5)(a) CC
OPP Stor Dun Glen
(1) 2 yrs less a day
Conditional sentence 7 probation 3 years & mandatory weapons prohibition sec. 109 CC
(2-3) 2 yrs less a day conditional sentence conc. 7 probation 3 yrs
2006-11-23
(1) Possess of property obtained by crime – sec. 354(1)(A) CC
(2) Uttering forged document
(1-2) Probation 1 day on each charge conc.
Background History
Mr. Macey’s background is set out in the hospital report (Exhibit 1) and need not be repeated at length here. Briefly summarized, Mr. Macey is presently 36 years of age. His right leg was amputated in 2018, and he currently uses a wheelchair. The circumstances surrounding his leg being amputated are unclear and not provided in the hospital documentation. He was born in St. Thomas, Ontario and grew up in Port Burwell. He moved to Cornwall when he was in grade 8.
He reports that he was healthy and was full-term at birth. He reached his developmental milestones at the ages other children usually do. His mother did not drink, smoke tobacco or use drugs during her pregnancy. As a child, he was very active and social. He recalled having a lot of friends and getting “along with everyone”. He denied ever having problems with vandalism, truancy, voyeurism, pyromania, or stealing. He denied ever being diagnosed with a learning disability or ADHD. He denied ever experiencing problems with restlessness, focus, or attention.
Mr. Macey’s father, Bob Macey, lives in Barrie. His father currently works as a property manager and does information technology work for restaurants. As far as he knows, his father did not have problems with drugs, alcohol, or the law. He was close to his father while growing up and felt that he could talk to him about his problems, if he experienced any.
His mother, Catharine Macey, lives in Cornwall. She currently works as an addiction counselor. As far as he knows, she does not have problems with drugs, alcohol, or the law. He was close to his mother while growing up. He added that overall, he felt very close to both his parents.
His parents divorced when he was 14 years old; however, he did not know why they separated.
He has an older half-sister, Candice, who is 38 years old and lives with her father in some part of southwest Ontario. He said that he was not in touch with his half-sister and that they were not close. He has a younger brother, Bowen, who is 23 years old and does renovation work in the Cornwall area. He said that he was very close to his brother and that they talk to each other over the phone on a weekly basis.
He stated that he was sexually, emotionally, and physically abused by “a series of doctors” when he was in his early twenties. When asked to elaborate, he stated that he was abused by “general practitioners and psychiatrists”. He added that he underwent a chemical castration against his will. He explained that he was abducted by the police and that they made him sign “forms” to “receive injections” that made him infertile. When asked which hospital it occurred at, he said that it happened at several outpatient clinics, the Civic Hospital and the General Ottawa Hospital. He said that he has been receiving injections for the past 14 years and gets them once a month. He explained that 14 years ago, he signed “paperwork” that allowed the hospital to make him infertile. When asked why he signed the forms, he said that the staff at the hospital he was attending (Ottawa General Hospital) threatened him to “lock me up in the psych ward”. He added that he did not want to receive these injections, however, the police came to his house and, at times, beat him down to take him to the outpatient clinic.
Mr. Macey stated that he experiences convulsions, muscle spasms, and brain damage because of these injections. He said that the first time they “gave him an injection” he almost overdosed and killed him. He is currently unable to ejaculate or have an erection because of the treatments.
Mr. Macey said that he has been homeless “on and off” for the past 14 years. He is currently living in an apartment in Cornwall. He is “barely” able to afford rent and food and is just able to pay for necessities due to his Ontario Disability Benefits.
As far as he knows, there is no history of mental illness in the family.
Mr. Macey attended kindergarten, middle school, and high school, and completed up to Grade 10. When asked whether he graduated from high school, he stated that he did not because of his parents’ divorce. He added that at that time he was emotionally “unstable” and “depressed”.
He denied ever being bullied or being a bully. He did not engage in fights with other students. He was not suspended or expelled. He added that he had a group of friends that he felt close to at that time and that they supported each other. He stated that he “always did good” in school and that he did not have difficulties learning the content taught in class. He did not attend any other educational institutions since dropping out from high school.
Mr. Macey started working in restaurants when he was “a teenager”. He stopped working in 2008, after he started receiving “injections”. He reported experiencing difficulties getting out of bed, low mood and lack of energy, and low motivation since that time. He also experiences convulsions and memory problems at times. He believes that these injections have caused him to experience “PTSD” and that it has affected his ability to work.
He has been homeless “about 20 times” over the last 14 years because of financial strain. During those times he would stay at shelters or at his friends’ houses. He did not wish to comment further on this.
As previously stated, Mr. Macey receives Ontario Disability Benefits.
Mr. Macey could not remember how old he was when he first started dating. He has not had any serious relationships in the past. He did not wish to discuss his sexual orientation and stated that he lost his virginity when he was 18 years old. He stated that he has had sexual partners in the past, however, he could not remember how many he had. He added that this was “not a priority”. He does not have any children.
He denied having any sexual interest in BDSM, violent sex, rape, voyeurism, blood, feces, urine, toucherism, frotteurism, cross-dressing, bestiality. He denied any pedophilic interests, peeping or exposing. He denied ever seeking the services of a prostitute or watching pornography and stated that he was “against that”.
Mr. Macey was first introduced to alcohol when he was 15 years old through friends. He stated that he rarely witnessed his parents consuming alcohol throughout his life and that he did not abuse or drink alcohol in excess throughout his life. His consumption increased in his twenties. He could not remember how much he drank at that time. Currently he drinks one beer once a week.
He has blacked out in the past about ten times. When asked to elaborate, he answered the following: “There was a story in between and that time there was a terminology, and it has not happened since 2014 or 2015. They said if it happens again ... I have no tolerance for that obviously. For obvious reasons, right?”. Mr. Macey stated that he blacked out several times in his twenties because he was drinking “very fast, very quickly” during “celebrations”. He denied drinking at that rate to cope with traumatic experiences or issues with his mental health. He has experimented with marijuana when he was a teenager; however, he has not smoked marijuana “for years”. He could not remember how often or how much he would smoke when he was a teenager.
He has experimented with “stimulants” in the past in 2017. He did not want to comment on the type of drug he experimented with at that time. He denied ever being dependent or addicted to these drugs.
Mr. Macey stated, most of the time, after using marijuana and stimulants, “I would see shapes moving in his peripheral vision. “My brain would see that, and it would happen when I’m not focusing. My brain would go on sleep mode. But I was not hallucinating. My brain had little energy”.
In August 2018, he had his right leg amputated. When asked to explain the circumstances that led to his amputation, Mr. Macey said “… traumatic events were happening. One of my friend’s died, and then another friend of mine died. I was sad and then one day I fell asleep on the toilet at my friend’s house. The toilet was too small, and it cut my circulation. When I woke up, I could not stand up and I had to go to the hospital. I was tired from the stress, and it was late that day”.
Psychiatric history
Mr. Macey stated that he “briefly met with a psychiatrist” about 14 years ago when he was admitted at the Ottawa General Hospital. When asked why he was admitted, he explained that at that time, he was homeless and voluntarily admitted himself because he was seeking shelter. He added that the shelter he was staying at before attending the hospital was “very dangerous” and that he preferred to get himself admitted in the psychiatric ward. He could not remember how long he was admitted for and was “forced to take Risperidone”.
He denied every being diagnosed with a mental illness despite using psychiatric drugs.
He stated that he voluntarily admitted himself “several times” after that to different hospitals because “it was better” than living in the streets or staying at shelters. He could not remember how many times he was admitted and could not provide a timeline for his admissions. During his admissions he recalled being prescribed Risperidone, Paliperidone, and Invega. Currently, he is taking Invega injections and believes the dose is 150 mgs intramuscularly once every 4 weeks. He stated that he meets with a psychiatrist at times when he gets his “forced injections”.
Mr. Macey stated that he started experiencing depressive symptoms at the age of 14, after the separation of his parents and the death of his uncle. He stated that he had difficulties getting out of bed, experienced a lack of energy and motivation, hopelessness, and sadness. He stated that these symptoms alleviated themselves shortly before he started receiving “forced injections” in his early 20s. Since then, he has been experiencing the same symptoms daily. He denied ever experiencing suicidal ideations. Mr. Macey denied experiencing hallucinations or paranoia. He denied receiving messages through the television or the radio. He denied experiencing manic episodes.
Mr. Macey’s current diagnosis is Schizophrenia. He has a problem with a Stimulant Use Disorder and a Cannabis Use Disorder and they are both currently in remission.
Position of the Parties
- At the outset of the hearing, Dr. Gojer, on behalf of the Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ms. Dufort, as counsel for the Attorney-General, and Ms. Dupras as counsel for Mr. Macey, jointly submitted that the necessary and appropriate disposition was a continuation of the current disposition. All parties agreed that there would be no challenge to a finding that Mr. Macey continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public.
Evidence at the Hearing
The hospital evidence was presented by Dr. Gojer, Mr. Macey’s attending psychiatrist and the author of the hospital report which is filed as an Exhibit. Dr. Gojer stated that he intended to rely upon the contents of the report as his evidence.
By way of brief update, he stated that Mr. Macey has done very well living in the community and commented that he has considerable community support from his parents and other professional staff. Dr. Gojer said that Mr. Macey has responded well to the introduction of the antipsychotic medication Clozapine. Notwithstanding his success in transitioning to the community, Dr. Gojer stated that in his opinion, a detention order is necessary for the upcoming reporting year. He said that the treatment team wish to have Mr. Macey demonstrate a continued period of stability living in the community. Mr. Macey is also under the terms of a Community Treatment Order pursuant to the Mental Health Act and this has assisted in his management. His father is his SDM (Substitute Decision Maker). Dr. Gojer said that the detention order is necessary to enable the treatment team to return Mr. Macey to the hospital quickly in the event of a decompensation in his mental status. He reiterated that with the addition of Clozapine he has seen significant improvement in Mr. Macey. Dr. Gojer said that at the present time his father supervises Mr. Macey’s compliance with his medication virtually. This has proven to be a successful means of monitoring Mr. Macey. He said that Mr. Macey’s father has a good working relationship with the therapeutic team.
In response to questions from Ms. Dufort, Dr. Gojer stated that he anticipated the CTO would be renewed in July and continue as it has for the past number of years. Dr. Gojer said that Mr. Macey is not involved in any programs at the present time as he is somewhat of an introvert. He stated that it was one of the hopes of the treatment team that Mr. Macey would become more involved in outings and programs in the community.
In response to a question from Ms. Dupras, Dr. Gojer stated that he was hopeful that by next year he would be in a position to recommend a Conditional Discharge for Mr. Macey with the mechanism of the CTO being a backup to the order of the Board.
The members of the panel did not have any questions for Dr. Gojer.
Neither Ms. Dufort nor Ms. Dupras called evidence at the hearing.
Submissions of the Parties
- At the conclusion of Dr. Gojer’s evidence, all parties reiterated the joint position made at the outset of the hearing that the necessary and appropriate disposition was a continuation of the terms of the current disposition without amendment in respect of both the 2022 and 2025 findings of not criminally responsible.
Analysis and Disposition
In 2022, Mr. Macey was found not criminally responsible on a series of charges which arose in 2021. His most recent disposition on the original finding of not criminally responsible ordered that he be detained on a detention order on the Secure Forensic Unit of the Royal Ottawa Hospital with privileges up to and including residing in the community. Mr. Macey has been under the care of Dr. Gojer for a number of years as a result of the original finding. Pursuant to the terms of the disposition, Mr. Macey has been living in the community for some time.
In March of 2024, the allegations which formed the basis of the second set of index offences were made. Once again, Mr. Macey was alleged to have engaged in the criminal harassment of a female by way of repeated contact and by sending disturbing pornographic photos and videos to the victim. At the time of the allegations which arose in March of 2024, Mr. Macey was readmitted to the forensic unit at the Royal Ottawa Hospital due to worsening symptoms. This included thought disorder, preoccupation with artificial intelligence and esoteric ideas and he was behaving in a disruptive manner at his apartment. He remained in the hospital until the 4th of July 2024 when he was discharged. He was then arrested by the Cornwall Police on the new charges but released on bail the same day. Since July of 2024, he has been living on bail under strict conditions but independently in a subsidized apartment in Cornwall. He was once again supported by the Cornwall ACT Team and was under the terms of a Community Treatment Order (CTO) with regular follow-ups from his treatment team.
Following his discharge from hospital and release on bail, Mr. Macey remained under the care of Dr. Gojer. Of significance, Dr. Gojer commenced a new course of treatment with the antipsychotic medication Clozapine. This requires monitoring of medication compliance, and this has been accomplished by way of monitoring by Mr. Macey’s father every evening. Although this monitoring takes place virtually, it has proven successful in maintaining compliance by Mr. Macey with his medications. Since his discharge from hospital and the commencement of Clozapine, Mr. Macey’s mental condition has remained stable. There has been no substance use, and both his mother and father continue to be closely involved in his care. Mr. Macey has also undertaken treatment with psychotherapy. Overall, Dr. Gojer expressed the opinion that Mr. Macey has had a good year.
Notwithstanding all of the above, Dr. Gojer also expressed the opinion that Mr. Macey continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public. He considers the risk to be dynamic and could easily escalate should any of the protective factors referred to above be weakened or eliminated. In the event of a decompensation in his mental status, Dr. Gojer expressed the opinion that a detention order was necessary to enable the treatment team to return Mr. Macey to the hospital quickly. The circumstances leading to the second set of charges are illustrative of the risk which Mr. Macey represents should he deteriorate while living in the community. Dr. Gojer also acknowledged the significance of the CTO as supportive of Mr. Macey’s treatment.
The panel is unanimous in accepting the joint submission of the parties that Mr. Macey continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the appropriate disposition is a continuation of the existing detention order. Although Mr. Macey has been found not criminally responsible on a second set of charges, these arose during a time when his mental state had decompensated and he was not optimally treated. The intervention of the treatment team in returning him to hospital and stabilizing his mental status is significant in determining the appropriate disposition. Pursuant to the provisions of s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code, the panel is charged with crafting a disposition which is necessary and appropriate and which considers as a paramount factor, the protection of the public. The Board is unanimous in finding that at the present time, the detention order currently in place fulfils the stated purpose of protecting the safety of the public while facilitating Mr. Macey’s reintegration into the community and his other needs.
DATED this 10th day of June 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Mr. G. Beasley Alternate Chairperson
Office of the Registrar
Ontario Review Board