Re: Syna Lorn
ORB File No: 7254
Hearing held on: Monday, January 26, 2026
Place of hearing: St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, Ontario
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before: Alternate Chairperson: Ms. S. Clapp Members: Dr. H. Bloom Dr. A. Kerry Hon. A. Sosna Mr. A. Mete
Parties Appearing: Accused: Syna Lorn Counsel: Mr. A. Rai (via Zoom) The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Mr. S. O’Brien Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. B. Adsett
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated March 3, 2026)
Introduction:
On October 20, 2017, Syna Lorn was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (“NCR”) on charges of assault with a weapon and failure to comply with probation order (x2), contrary to the Criminal Code. He is currently subject to a Disposition of the Ontario Review Board (“ORB” or the “Board”) dated January 31, 2025, whereby he is detained at the Forensic Psychiatry Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus (“SJHCH” or the “hospital”) with privileges up to and including community living in approved accommodation. He is also required to abstain from substance use, refrain from possessing weapons, and refrain from contacting the victim of the index offence.
On January 26, 2026, a panel of the Board convened at SJHCH to conduct Mr. Lorn’s annual review pursuant to section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. Mr. Rai attended the hearing by Zoom as there had been a significant snow storm that made travel difficult. At the outset of the hearing, Mr. Rai advised that Mr. Lorn did not wish to attend the hearing, and he had instructions to proceed in his client’s absence. Neither Mr. O’Brien nor Mr. Adsett objected to the panel making an Order excusing Mr. Lorn from the hearing pursuant to section 672.5(10)(a) of the Criminal Code.
The Hospital Report dated December 30, 2025, was marked as Exhibit 1. In addition to the documentary evidence, Mr. Lorn’s most responsible physician, Dr. Olubukola Kolawole, gave evidence.
The issues to be decided at the hearing were whether Mr. Lorn continues to meet the test of posing a significant threat to the safety of the public as set out in section 672.5401 of the Criminal Code, and if so, what is the necessary and appropriate Disposition, taking into account the four factors set out in section 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
Positions of the Parties:
At the outset of the hearing, the parties were asked for their initial without prejudice positions. On behalf of the hospital, Mr. O’Brien took the position that Mr. Lorn continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public, and that a continuation of the existing Detention Order remained necessary and appropriate.
Mr. Adsett supported the position of the hospital on behalf of the Attorney General. Mr. Rai conceded the issue of significant threat and indicated that his client agreed with the position of the hospital. The parties maintained their positions in closing submissions. There was therefore a joint recommendation before the panel.
Findings:
- For the reasons that follow, the panel found that Mr. Lorn continues to pose a significant threat to public safety. The panel concluded that the necessary and appropriate Disposition, which is also the least onerous and least restrictive in the circumstances, is a continuation of the existing Detention Order with no changes.
Index Offences:
- The circumstances of the index offences are stated in detail at page 5 of the Hospital Report and can be summarized as follows. On February 27, 2017, Mr. Lorn struck his roommate (the victim) in the back of the head multiple times with the victim’s samurai sword. Mr. Lorn spoke of voodoo and called the victim the devil. The victim had four large lacerations on the back of his head which required stitches. At the time of the incident, Mr. Lorn was subject to a Probation Order requiring him not to possess weapons or knives and to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Background:
Mr. Lorn’s personal history is outlined in the Hospital Report in detail and will not be repeated here. In summary, Mr. Lorn is a 40-year-old single man who was born in a refugee camp in Thailand. He immigrated to the Hamilton area in 1987 with his parents and three siblings.
The Hospital Report stated that Mr. Lorn began using substances at age 12. He dropped out of school in grade 11 due to substance use and a desire to make money. He has a limited employment history and has been supported by the Ontario Disability Support Program since 2011.
In 2006, Mr. Lorn was convicted of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon (he attacked a taxi driver with a machete) and was incarcerated until 2011. Upon his release from custody he was involuntarily hospitalized at SJHCH. He was eventually discharged to the family home with follow up by an Assertive Community Treatment Team (“ACT Team”). In or around 2015, Mr. Lorn was asked to leave the family home due to his fluctuating mental health, medication nonadherence, substance use, and threatening behaviour (there were young children living in the family home and the Children’s Aid Society became involved).
Prior to the index offences, Mr. Lorn lived in various lodging homes and shelters, but he was frequently asked to leave due to poor rule adherence, threatening behaviour, and substance use. Mr. Lorn moved into Victoria Manor (a residential care facility) on February 24, 2017, and the index offences occurred there three days later.
The Hospital Report stated that Mr. Lorn has a significant history of substance abuse, including cocaine, cannabis, and crystal methamphetamine.
Criminal History:
Mr. Lorn’s criminal record was set out at page 7 of the Hospital Report. It includes the aggravated assault and assault with a weapon convictions in 2006 referred to above, as well as other convictions following that for breach of recognizance, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, possession of cocaine, and fail to comply with probation.
The Hospital Report noted that Mr. Lorn had two prior court-ordered assessments of criminal responsibility in 2007 and 2016 (where he was found to be criminally responsible).
Psychiatric History:
The Hospital Report outlined Mr. Lorn’s psychiatric history prior to the index offences and while under the jurisdiction of the Board in detail, and will only be summarized here. Mr. Lorn had approximately seven admissions to SJHCH between 2007 and 2016 (with three in 2016). He presented with bizarre behaviour, paranoid and grandiose delusions, and was frequently threatening. He was regularly noted to have no insight into his illness and was found incapable of consenting to treatment. Mr. Lorn typically improved with treatment while in the hospital, but noncompliance with medication outside of the hospital repeatedly led to readmission. Mr. Lorn was subject to approximately seven Community Treatment Orders during this time period; however, the ACT Teams often had trouble locating him. Mr. Lorn was consistently diagnosed with Schizophrenia and polysubstance use.
Following the NCR finding, Mr. Lorn was detained on a secure forensic unit at SJHCH from December 2017 to September 2024. Mr. Lorn had extensive fixed delusional systems that were religious, grandiose, and persecutory. He also experienced visual and auditory hallucinations. Mr. Lorn absconded from hospital in response to auditory hallucinations in June 2018. His symptoms were noted to be treatment refractory and he had no insight into his mental illness or the need for treatment.
Beginning around 2020, Mr. Lorn participated in treatment programs and individual therapy and generally abstained from substance use. He had jobs at the hospital (tuck cart and grounds keeper). Mr. Lorn’s parents became approved persons and his privileges were used appropriately.
Community living was added to Mr. Lorn’s Disposition in 2022. It was determined that he would require 24-hour supervision and he was referred to a number of housing providers. By this time, Mr. Lorn’s refractory symptoms were noted to have a minimal effect on his daily functioning; however, rapid decompensation was noted in the presence of substances. Mr. Lorn had multiple relapses to substance use in 2023 with observed changes in his mental status and cancellation of privileges.
Mr. Lorn was transferred to a general forensic unit under Dr. Kolawole’s care in September 2024.
The Hospital Report listed Mr. Lorn’s current diagnoses as: Schizophrenia; Polysubstance Use Disorder (cannabis, stimulants); and Antisocial Personality Traits. He is capable with regard to treatment and the management of property.
Evidence at the Hearing:
- The Hospital Report stated the following in the Clinical Risk Summary about Mr. Lorn’s clinical course over the past year and the continuing recommendation for a Detention Order (at page 82):
“Over the reporting year, Mr. Lorn’s baseline mental status has generally been stable. He is typically calm, pleasant, and polite with staff and co-patients. His thought process has been described as logical and coherent, with no sustained evidence of hallucinations, delusions, or disorganization. He routinely denies suicidal or homicidal ideation. He requests scheduled medications independently (with occasional prompting to awaken for morning medications) and uses PRN Paliperidone and Quetiapine regularly for agitation with reported good effect. He maintains hygiene, has stable sleep (including consistent CPAP use), and remains physically active, particularly through walking and recreation therapy.
Despite overall psychiatric stability, Mr. Lorn has had multiple clinically relevant setbacks over the year—most notably recurrent substance use during community access and fraudulent financial behaviour—both of which are considered significant dynamic risk factors and have directly interfered with discharge planning and housing progression. He has also demonstrated intermittent escalation and suspicious interpretations in the context of financial accountability. The treatment team’s position remains that Mr. Lorn’s risk continues to require the structure and oversight of a Detention Order disposition.”
The Hospital Report stated that Mr. Lorn’s positive drug tests were often linked to stress, disappointment, or emotional coping. At times, he initially denied use or offered alternative explanations, but later admitted to use. Although cannabis use was not associated with major observable mental state deterioration during the past year, the Hospital Report stated that recurrent use remains a significant risk factor “because it undermines relapse prevention, increases the likelihood of future destabilization, interferes with community reintegration/housing, and increases overall risk when paired with greater independence” (at page 83). Mr. Lorn provides daily urine drug screen samples.
The fraudulent financial behaviour referred to above related to double-cashing cheques (mobile depositing and then cashing physical cheques) that Mr. Lorn received from his employment at the hospital café. Mr. Lorn’s employment was terminated, and criminal charges were not pursued because Mr. Lorn agreed to a repayment plan in good faith.
The Hospital Report stated that Mr. Lorn had an opportunity to transition to a Transitional Housing and Rehabilitation Program (“THRP”) bed; however, his challenges with cannabis use and his hesitancy to move to THRP ultimately ended the transition in the early phases. Dr. Kolawole testified that Mr. Lorn did not want to go to the TRHP housing (Emmaus Place) because of the strict substance use policies, and because it is not permanent housing. Mr. Lorn remains on a number of other housing wait lists but it is not known when any placement may become available.
The Hospital Report stated the following about the issue of significant threat in the Forensic Risk Formulation (at page 84):
“While there has not been a pattern of overt aggression on the unit this year, the combination of (1) repeated substance use despite monitoring, (2) inconsistent accountability/denial patterns, (3) demonstrated rule-breaking and deceptive behaviour, and (4) one episode of unusual thought content inconsistent with baseline indicates that Mr. Lorn’s risk would increase materially with reduced structure or premature increases in independence—particularly if paired with substance relapse and reduced oversight.
Consistent with the 2023 psychological risk assessment review, and given the absence of durable improvements in the key dynamic risk domains (especially substance abstinence and community readiness), Mr. Lorn’s risk for violent reoffending remains significant when intensively monitored and supported and would be expected to increase without that structure. It is therefore the unanimous opinion of the treatment team that Mr. Lorn continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public, requiring ongoing detention-level oversight at this time.”
Dr. Kolawole testified that Mr. Lorn had a mixed year, and reiterated the risk factors and incidents that were set out in the Hospital Report. He noted that Mr. Lorn has consistently adhered to his medications and this has resulted in his mental status being largely stable. Mr. Lorn has also engaged with the treatment team, made more consistent use of his indirectly supervised and approved persons passes in the community, and worked on developing his independent living skills. However, substance use and rule adherence were problems which ultimately affected Mr. Lorn’s discharge to the community.
Dr. Kolawole stated his opinion that Mr. Lorn continues to meet the threshold of significant threat, and referred to the historical and dynamic risk factors set out in the Hospital Report. He testified that Mr. Lorn had a difficult and turbulent history under the civil mental health system, and noted that he had achieved more stability in the forensic system. Dr. Kolawole was of the opinion that Mr. Lorn was likely to re-offend to the same degree as the index offences if he was not subject to the structure, supervision, and support of his Disposition. He also stated that Mr. Lorn is at risk of causing psychological harm to a member of the public as a result of his fraudulent and antisocial activities.
In response to questions from Mr. Rai, Dr. Kolawole confirmed that Mr. Lorn is capable of consenting to treatment, has been compliant with medication, and has not had any incidents of physical aggression or violence this year. Dr. Kolawole acknowledged that Mr. Lorn’s last positive drug screen for cannabis was on October 4, 2025, and he attributed the period of abstinence since then to the fact that Mr. Lorn was feeling more settled, was looking forward to a new job and time with family over the holidays, and was hopeful about transitioning to more permanent housing in the community.
In response to questions from the panel, Dr. Kolawole stated that Mr. Lorn was more receptive to individual substance use and relapse prevention counselling than in a group setting. Mr. Lorn’s family is very instrumental in Mr. Lorn’s recovery and they do not tolerate substance use. Mr. Lorn’s mother, father, and sister are all approved persons, and Mr. Lorn has had day passes to the family home on multiple occasions. That said, the family remains reluctant to have Mr. Lorn at the family home for overnight passes.
It was noted that Mr. Lorn had been treated as incapable of consenting to treatment through most of his time under the jurisdiction of the Board, but was now capable. Dr. Kolawole explained that when Mr. Lorn was transferred to his unit, he reassessed his capacity and proposed a number of medication changes. Dr. Kolawole found Mr. Lorn to be capable of consenting to treatment and noted that his insight and adherence to medication had improved.
Dr. Kolawole stated his opinion that Mr. Lorn would be ready for discharge when appropriate housing becomes available, in the context of support from the forensic inpatient and outpatient teams.
Analysis and Conclusions:
Based on the Hospital Report and the evidence of Dr. Kolawole, the panel concluded that Mr. Lorn remains a significant threat to public safety. Mr. Lorn has a significant history of violent offending, difficulties with medication compliance, substance use, and treatment refractory symptoms over many years. Despite Mr. Lorn making progress on a general forensic unit this year, he struggled with recurrent substance use and rule breaking, and engaged in concerning fraudulent behaviour. These are significant dynamic risk factors which require continuing support, education, and supervision by the treatment team. The repeated substance use is concerning given Mr. Lorn’s history and the effect of substance use on his mental status. It also appeared to be factor in Mr. Lorn declining the opportunity to transition to the community. The panel also considered the most recent psychological risk assessment which found Mr. Lorn’s risk for violent reoffending to be in the moderate range with the intensive monitoring and support of the forensic program under a Detention Order. The panel accepted Dr. Kolawole’s evidence and the opinion and reasoning set out in the Forensic Risk Formulation (quoted above) that Mr. Lorn continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public.
The panel accepted and agreed with the joint recommendation that a continuation of the existing Detention Order was necessary and appropriate, and the least onerous and least restrictive Disposition for Mr. Lorn at this time. Mr. Lorn has community living in his Disposition and was ready for discharge this year. He had an opportunity to transition to the community; however, he decided that it was not a good fit for him and preferred to wait for more permanent housing. Mr. Lorn remains on wait lists for housing, and the treatment team plans to continue supporting and working with him on a number of things, including substance use, healthy coping strategies, and the pursuit of his goals. A Detention Order is required so that the hospital can approve Mr. Lorn’s housing and bring him back to the hospital quickly in the event that there are problems during a transition to the community. It is hoped that Mr. Lorn will continue on his positive trajectory and be provided with another opportunity to transition the community in the coming year.
DATED this 3rd day of March 2026, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Ms. S. Clapp Alternate Chair
Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board