Ontario Review Board
Re: Delroy A. Harrison
ORB File No: 7129
Hearing held on: Friday, June 6, 2025
Place of hearing: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. M.D. Segal Members: Dr. G.A. Chaimowitz Dr. H. Moulden Ms. C. Fromstein Mr. J. Cyr
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Delroy A. Harrison Counsel: Mr. P. Morabito
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Ms. A. Marshall
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. V. Culp
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated July 18, 2025)
Introduction
Delroy A. Harrison, age 64, was on March 30, 2017, found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on charges of assault with a weapon, and assault causing bodily harm, contrary to the Criminal Code.
Mr. Harrison, who is subject to a Conditional Discharge since 2021, appeared before the Ontario Review Board (the “Board”) at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (the “hospital”) on June 6, 2025 for his annual hearing.
The hospital was proposing an Absolute Discharge, supported by the patient’s counsel. At the outset, Crown counsel reserved her position, but after hearing the evidence, joined in the joint position. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Board agreed that an Absolute Discharge was appropriate.
Exhibit 1 was a Hospital Report dated May 7, 2025.
Index Offence
- Mr. Harrison was convicted of assault with a weapon in April,1988. His mother was the victim. The following details are excerpted from the Hospital Report:
“The victim in this matter is the mother of the accused. They live at the same address…
On Tuesday, January 6, 1987, at about 5.25PM the victim and the accused were in the kitchen. The victim was making dinner and heard the accused frying something on the stove. She wanted to make sure he was cooking the food (ACKE a Jamaican food) right. The accused stated to his mother the victim “I don t [sic.] grow on a tree” The victim tried to ignore the accused but, she saw him pick up a large butcher knife from the counter. The victim could not escape the kitchen and when the accused raised the knife she ducked and was stabbed on the left side of head. She told her brother who was also in the house to call the police. She ran from the kitchen and the police and ambulance arrived. The victim was taken to the hospital by ambulance……Victim received the following injuries A 4CM cut to left side of head with possible bone fragments. The cut was right to the bone Also a fractured skull…
… When being processed the accused could not answer any questions and just stared blankly into the air.”
- The index offence occurred on April 14, 2015, and represents Mr. Harrison’s only other known involvement in the justice system. The following details are also excepted from the Hospital Report:
“On Tuesday, April 14th, 2015, at approximately 9:28pm, while the victim [Mr. Harrison’s mother] was on the phone with her friend (witness), she asked the accused to turn the light off. The accused refused. When the victim turned the light off, she was punched in the face twice by the accused. The accused then picked up a ceramic vase and hit the victim on the head with it several times. The victim held a pillow over her head while she was being attacked. The victim at this time fell to the ground. The accused stopped hitting his mother then went back into his bedroom. At no time did the accused offer his mother any first aid. The victims [sic.] friend then called her back, the victim told her friend to call 911 that she was assaulted by her son (accused). The victim then called 911 herself.
Police arrived a short time later and located the victim with several cuts to her face, her arms and her hands and a large quantity of blood. The accused was located inside the unit and was arrested without incident. The accused was transported to 31 Division where he was held pending a show cause hearing.
The victim was then transported to Sunnybrook Hospital by DAS.
The victim was examined and treated by the doctor at the hospital. Due to her injuries the victim will be held at the hospital and she will require plastic surgery on her face and hands.
The victim received a broken middle finger on her left hand and lacerations, broken ring finger on both hands and lacerations, broken baby finger on right hand and lacerations, large laceration from rear left side of head to mouth area, multiple lacerations on her left arm which required stitches.”
Diagnosis
- Schizophrenia
Background
- Mr. Harrison’s background is set out in detail in the Hospital Report. Mr. Harrison has some intellectual limitations. Substances are not an issue.
Evidence at Hearing
Dr. M. Pearce, who has been following the patient for eight years, testified. Dr. Pearce indicated that Mr. Harrison continues to do well. Mr. Harrison takes his medication, including by injection. He attends the hospital more often than is required. Mr. Harrison is in regular contact with his case manager. There are no signs of psychosis. Mr. Harrison is polite and cooperative. He is very well groomed. He receives lots of support from his 81-year-old mother and occasionally has dealings with his siblings.
In possible anticipation of an Absolute Discharge, the hospital commendably began a plan to transition the patient some six months ago. The hospital began working with Across Boundaries, a multidisciplinary mental health community provider, to prepare for transition. Mr. Harrison has met with them a number of times and the meetings went well. At Across Boundaries, he would be assigned a psychiatrist and a case worker. That organization offers therapeutic and recreational services. The hospital is prepared to support Mr. Harrison during any transition and would follow Mr. Harrison should, for any reason, the placement with Across Boundaries fall through.
The hospital will transition Mr. Harrison slowly, over a period of three to nine months.
Dr. Pearce indicated that Mr. Harrison accepts that he requires medication. The patient does not fully comprehend the impact of medication, but his attitude has always been that he will listen to his doctors. Mr. Harrison has an appreciation of his schizophrenia diagnosis, but he does not fully grasp what the symptoms may be.
Mr. Harrison receives a depot injection.
In Dr. Pearce’s view, Mr. Harrison is likely to stay on his medication if granted an Absolute Discharge. Last year, by administrative oversight, Mr. Harrison’s annual hearing did not proceed. However, Mr. Harrison abided by all of his conditions as is his custom.
Mr. Harrison has had a long period of stability in the community. For many years, he lived in a boarding house. For the last few years, he has lived in a subsidized senior living residence. Residency there has been trouble free. At that residence, there are staff who check on residents from time-to-time. Mr. Harrison takes good care of his apartment as he does his personal grooming.
Mr. Harrison is assessed at low risk for future violence on an Absolute Discharge. In Dr. Pearce’s view, a civil mental health system would be adequate. Mr. Harrison would visit the hospital if it were suggested to him.
Mr. Harrison enjoys good structure. He works part time. He attends outpatient programming frequently. He sees his mother often. On occasion, his mother prepares food for him. He helps her with the shopping. His mother, although 81, is in good health. Mr. Harrison receives oral olanzapine along with other medications, including for diabetes, in a blister pack which he self-administers.
Some concerns have been expressed about his diabetes. Unbeknownst to others, it was recently discovered that Mr. Harrison has been recording his blood sugar levels for some time. Those results ought to be shared with Mr. Harrison’s family doctor.
The last violence occurred in 2015. There has never been a need to resort to any of the conditions in his Disposition since then.
Final submissions underscored that Mr. Harrison is doing exceedingly well and no longer meets the significant threat threshold.
Analysis
Mr. Harrison has done exceedingly well under the Board. He presented to us as a mature, well groomed, pleasant individual. Clearly, Mr. Harrison does not meet the required threshold. There have been no incidents of violence since 2015. Substances are not an issue. He accepts his medication and receives it by a long-acting injection. Mr. Harrison lives in a senior’s residence which is permanently available to him. He gets along well there and takes care of his place and does some of his own meal preparation. He has a strong relationship with the therapeutic team. He attends the hospital more than necessary to participate in activities. He volunteers frequently at the Salvation Army.
The hospital has thoughtfully introduced Mr. Harrison to Across Boundaries well in advance of a potential Absolute Discharge. Admirably, the hospital is prepared to follow through in its care during any transition, which will be done in a slow, careful manner. Mr. Harrison has good supports from his mother, who was a nurse, and a long-time family doctor who practices in a clinic. We wish Mr. Harrison well as he embarks on his new chapter.
DATED this 18th day of July, 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Region of Toronto.
Mr. M.D. Segal Alternate Chairperson
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Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board