Ontario Review Board
Re: Christopher Perley
ORB File No: 8546
Hearing held on: Thursday, June 19, 2025
Place of hearing: Brockville Mental Health Centre
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. M.D. Segal
Members: Dr. G. Eayrs Dr. Y. Alatishe Mr. G. Beasley Ms. R. MacIntyre
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Christopher D. Perley Counsel: Mr. E. Granger
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Dr. C. Franck and Dr. S. Gulati
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. C. Breault
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated August 1, 2025)
Introduction:
Christopher Perley, age 43, was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on charges of attempt murder, contrary to the Criminal Code.
On June 19, 2025, Mr. Perley appeared before the Ontario Review Board (the Board) at the Brockville Mental Health Centre (the Hospital) for his annual review. Mr. Perley’s mother attended and read a victim impact statement. Exhibit 1 was the Hospital Report dated May 22, 2025. Exhibit 2 was the victim impact statement of Renata Lapenat.
In preliminary positions the Hospital, supported by the patient’s counsel, advanced that significant threat was made out and that conditions should be added to permit community living in accommodation approved by the person in charge, and when living in the community, report not less than once a week. Crown counsel was opposed to community living being added. By the conclusion of the hearing, the Board was satisfied that significant threat was made out and that the current disposition was appropriate with modifications. The Board found that, on the evidence, supervised housing was appropriate as approved by the person in charge. The reporting recommendation was adopted.
Index Offences:
- The Board received in evidence as Exhibit 1, the hospital report dated May 22nd, 2025, which details the following description of the circumstances surrounding the index offences and are summarized as follows:
SYNOPSIS:
On April 13, 2022, at approximately 1900 hours Ottawa Police patrol units were dispatched to 1171 Ambleside Drive about a male, later identified as Christopher PERLEY, suffering a mental health breakdown where he was actively strangling his mother Renate LA TEPAN-PERLEY with a belt.
Prior to police arriving on scene, the victim was preparing dinner for both herself and the accused, her son, when PERLEY came up to her from behind and placed a belt around her neck and began choking her. The victim was able to escape his grasp by remove the belt from her neck and flee towards the apartment door. As she attempted to open the door, PERLEY came up behind her and forced the door closed preventing her from leaving. Fearing for her life, the victim was able to push PERLEY aside and open the door to escape into the hallway for safety. As she breached the threshold of the doorway, she was pushed to the ground by PERLEY injuring her knee and breaking her glasses in the process. It was at this point while she was face down on the ground that PERLEY then placed the belt around her neck again and began forcefully choking her.
The victim was able to scream for assistance as this was occurring, and was heard by the witness, Ferdinand MIANA the superintendent of the building, who resided several doors from her apartment. He exited his apartment to the hallway to see what was transpiring and sought assistance from the primary superintendent across the hall, Dylan COOKE. Once COOKE exited his apartment, and proceeded to the end of the east hallway, he observed the accused overlap the victim actively choking her with a belt and noted that her face was quite red and swollen. COOKE pulled PERLEY off of the victim and instructed her to go back to her apartment and lock the doors. PERLEY then removed a set of house keys from his pockets and attempted to unlock the apartment door. COOKE tried to convince PERLEY to drop the keys and it was at this point that PERLEY began to strike COOKE in the face with closed fists several times in anger. MIANA then struck the hand of PERLEY and was able to dislodge the keys and secure them and PERLEY was subsequently subdued by both MIANA and COOKE and contacted 911 where he was held until police arrived on scene.
During this time PERLEY made several comments to COOKE that the 'Job is not done", referring to killing his mother.
Police then apprehended PERLEY under the mental health act and was transported to the Ottawa Hospital where he was admitted.”
Current Diagnoses
- Mr. Perley’s current diagnosis is Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Type.
Background
The Hospital Report contains extensive information regarding Mr. Perley’s personal history, his psychiatric history, and his course in the hospital since admission.
Mr. Perley has a history of treatment resistant Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Type. He was initially found unfit to stand trial, became fit with treatment, and then found not criminally responsible on April 26, 2024.
Mr. Perley was first diagnosed with a psychotic disorder at the age of 19 and was admitted to the Royal Ottawa Hospital in 2001 and 2005 for unspecified psychosis and paranoid schizophrenia. Mr. Perley was also admitted to the same hospital on February 20, 2022, for suicidal and homicidal ideation related to financial stress. It is also noted that Mr. Perley has made multiple visits to hospital emergency departments over the years due to suicidal and homicidal ideation. His history includes two suicide attempts. The first attempt was at age 11, and the second was in 2005 when he cut his neck with a knife and required hospitalization.
The hospital records also indicate that Mr. Perley has a history of homicidal thoughts regarding his mother. The index offences were the first time he has acted on these thoughts. Following the index offences, Mr. Perley was admitted to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre on April 27, 2022. Mr. Perley stated that he was hearing the voice of the devil encouraging him to hurt his mother.
Evidence at the Hearing:
Dr. C. Franck, a psychiatry resident, gave the principal evidence for the hospital. Dr. Franck has been following the patient since January under the supervision of Dr. S. Gulati who was also in attendance.
Dr. Franck described that there has been a significant clinical improvement this past year. Mr. Perley’s psychosis has moderated. There is stability. His privileges have steadily grown. There has been no need for seclusion this past year. Mr. Perley’s is calm and quite pleasant. There have been no issues regarding anger. There has been no requests to stop or change medications. Mr. Perley has participated in groups. He is currently participating well in a group designed to strengthen cognitive problem-solving. He is engaged in occupational therapy to build strength and range of motion.
Mr. Perley attends A.A. out of interest. He is on a wait list for the Inspire Group that focuses on insight.
Tests on Mr. Perley have revealed weaknesses in banking and navigating the kitchen. He keeps the lounge clean and recently joined staff at the River Café at the hospital.
Because of weight gain associated with his medication regimen, he has started on Metformin.
Mr. Perley is desirous of following rules. Recently, he was rushing about to comply with his schedule and tripped, cutting his lip, necessitating stitches.
Because Mr. Perley continues to have residual symptoms he is now on an SSRI. Mr. Perley suffers from a treatment resistant mental disorder but there has been a slow, steady progress.
Mr. Perley was granted indirect passes in the last few weeks. The plan would be, if things continue to go well, to move him to supervised accommodation. Such a decision would occur in six months. Once a decision is made the process would take up to three months. He would be trialed at first, and followed by forensic outpatient services. Ideally, he would be moved to the FITT residence which accommodates five patients. The FITT House is on grounds. Because there may not be an opening, the hospital would like to have “approved” accommodation instead of “supervised”. The hospital is of the view that if all goes well, it is not clear that Mr. Perley would require 24-hour supervision. Eight hours a day may do. The Murray Street residence has eight hour supervision.
The hospital is still adjusting Mr. Perley’s medications.
Mr. Perley’s residual symptoms include violent ideation. Mr. Perley identifies such thoughts to staff. He describes the thoughts as intrusive and unwanted. The hospital is of the view that Mr. Perley would not act on the ideation. Mr. Perley has no desire to act on them.
On one occasion, the thoughts related to a peer. That was discussed and Mr. Perley resolved to avoid that individual. Mr. Perley is clear that he does not want to hurt people.
Over the year, Mr. Perley has reacted to TV programming believing there was messaging for him. The ideation is not a barrier to moving ahead. Mr. Perley employs relaxation therapy and reading to counteract such thoughts. He takes 45 -minute walks every day and attends the YMCA regularly.
Mr. Perley understands that the negative thoughts are not reality. He is accepting of his diagnosis and of medication. He is compliant with the treatment plan. Mr. Perley has a variable degree of insight into his symptoms.
Mr. Perley has strong support from his mother who attended the hearing. She has been attending the hospital regularly to meet with her son. She participates in the case conferences.
Before his next placement would occur, the hospital would update Mr. Perley’s facility in the kitchen and would also update the risk analysis.
Support from his mother is a strong protective feature. Mr. Perley is a motivated patient. He wants more privileges. He has long range goals. He is receptive to feedback.
There is no plan to return to ECT at present. There is no history of substances.
Mr. Perley is not regularly tested for alcohol or substances. He would agree to give samples even if it was not a requirement in the disposition. At one point, he wished the possibility of access to alcohol but accepted guidance that it was not recommended.
Mr. Perley is capable of making treatment decisions. There is no approved person.
Mr. Perley’s mother presented a brief victim impact statement and responded to some questions. It is clear that Mr. Perley is fortunate to have such a supportive champion.
Submissions:
- Final submissions mirrored opening positions. Crown counsel was not supportive of a “approved” accommodation. Mr. Perley’s counsel reviewed the substantial progress this past year.
Analysis:
No party suggested that significant threat to the safety of the public was not present. Residual symptoms are still present despite the gains made. The index offence was very serious and occurred recently. Mr. Perley is on a positive trajectory. Assuming that continues, it is reasonable that Mr. Perley would be ready for community living within the next year. The Hospital has a careful plan that would not see movement for 6-9 months. Because there is a need for an updated occupational report on the use of a kitchen, and the acknowledgement that risk would have to be re-evaluated before placement, it would be safer and more prudent to ensure “supervised” housing. Of course, supervision varies. Some options include eight hours or 24-hours supervision. That would be a decision for the Hospital. The Hospital is not currently concerned Mr. Perley would require 24-hour supervision. When in the community, reporting not less than once a week is sensible.
Mr. Perley has no history of alcohol or substance abuse. The evidence was that he would provide samples without a condition in the disposition. Because medication is still being adjusted and privileges are growing, it makes sense to maintain the prohibition but the Board is prepared to remove the mandatory testing provision.
The disposition is maintained in all other respects. We wish Mr. Perley well in the upcoming year.
DATED this 1st day of August, 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Mr. M. Segal Alternate Chairperson
Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board