Re: Ronnie Acuna-Aguirre
ORB File No: 7954
Hearing held on: Friday, December 5, 2025
Place of hearing: Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Ms. C. Finley
Members: Dr. P.L. Darby
Dr. G. Kerry
Ms. A. La Viola
Ms. D. Smith
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Ronnie Acuna-Aguirre
Counsel: Ms. B. Benincasa
The Person in charge of Hospital: Representative: Ms. M. Kraftscik
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. S. Curry
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated January 13, 2026)
Introduction
On September 23, 2021, Ronnie Acuna-Aguirre was found not criminally responsible (“NCR”) on account of mental disorder on a charge of second-degree murder, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. He is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (“the Board”/“ORB”), dated December 30, 2024, detaining him at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care―High Secure Provincial Forensic Programs (“Waypoint”/“the hospital”), with grounds privileges beyond the secure perimeter escorted by staff.
On December 5, 2025, the Board convened a hearing to conduct the annual review of Mr. Acuna-Aguirre’s disposition. Mr. Acuna-Aguirre was present and represented by his counsel, Mr. Kopman. Mr. Acuna-Aguirre’s brother and sister also were present.
At the outset of the proceedings all parties jointly submitted that Mr. Acuna-Aguirre remains a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of his current disposition.
Findings
- For the reasons that follow, the Board agrees with the joint submission and finds that Mr. Acuna-Aguirre remains a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of his current detention order.
The Evidence
- The evidence at the hearing consisted of the Hospital Report, dated November 3, 2025 (ex. 1), the Victim Impact Statement from Ian Acuna and Liz Gale, dated November 19, 2025 (ex. 2), and the viva voce evidence of Mr. Acuna-Aguirre’s treating psychiatrist, Dr. Mishra.
The Index Offence
- On March 9, 2021, Mr. Acuna-Aguirre was arguing with his father, when he repeatedly stabbed him with a knife. His father died from a significant injury to his neck. Of note, the day before, Mr. Acuna-Aguirre had been released from Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences on a community treatment order.
Background Information
The Hospital Report contains details of Mr. Acuna-Aguirre’s personal background and psychiatric history and need not be reviewed in detail in these reasons but for the following material points. Mr. Acuna-Aguirre is currently 37 years old. He and his family immigrated to Canada when he was four.
Mr. Acuna-Aguirre did well academically and graduated from high school. However, in his last year of school, his family noticed that he began to care less about his appearance, which was unusual for him. Mr. Acuna-Aguirre struggled with his sexuality, which caused him “depression and anxiety”. His first of several suicide attempts was at the age of 18.
Since 2007, Mr. Acuna-Aguirre has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital at least once a year. He has been prescribed a number of antipsychotic medications. However, he would become noncompliant soon after being discharged from hospital, complaining of perceived side-effects. He developed delusional beliefs about his father, leading him to become aggressive and violent, both verbally and physically. In 2017, Mr. Acuna-Aguirre was charged with assault with a weapon arising out of conflict with his father during which he raised a knife. Charges in relation to that incident were withdrawn.
At different stages in his life, Mr. Acuna Aguirre has experienced anxiety and depression, paranoid delusions and hallucinations, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder. His behaviour has included periods of agitation and aggression both when residing in the community and when admitted to hospital. Mr. Acuna