Ontario Review Board
Re: Mark Duckett
ORB File No: 8213
Hearing held on: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Place of hearing: Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care 401 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, Ontario
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Ms. T. Mann
Members: Dr. R. Chandrasena Dr. A. Kerry Mr. E. Siebenmorgen Ms. K. Brisson
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Mark Duckett Counsel: Mr. G.M. Read
The person in charge of Hospital: Counsel: Ms. J. Zamprogna
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. J. Huber
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated April 20, 2026)
Introduction
On January 10, 2023, Mr. Mark Duckett was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder, on a charge of first-degree murder, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (“the Criminal Code”).
Mr. Duckett is currently subject to a Disposition of the Ontario Review Board (“the Board”), dated February 5, 2025 and detained at the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care, St. Joseph's Health Care London (“the Southwest Centre” or “the Hospital”). This Disposition provides him with certain privileges, the most liberal of which permits him to live in the community of Elgin and Middlesex Counties, in accommodation approved by the person in charge of the Hospital, and 7 day passes into the Province of Ontario, up to 3 times a year, upon first obtaining an approved itinerary from the person in charge. This latter privilege excludes the City of Hamilton, save and except for transit through the city.
On March 4, 2026, the Board convened a hearing at the Southwest Centre to conduct the annual review of the current Disposition.
4. Mr. Duckett was present at the hearing and was represented by counsel, Mr. G. Read. Mr. J. Huber appeared for the Attorney General of Ontario. The Hospital was represented by Ms. J. Zamprogna. Also in attendance at the hearing to support Mr. Duckett were several members of his clinical team.
- At issue in the hearing was whether Mr. Duckett is a significant threat to the safety of the public and, if so, the necessary and appropriate, least onerous and least restrictive Disposition to address his risk and his care, bearing in mind the factors set out in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
Current Psychiatric Diagnosis
- Mr. Duckett is diagnosed with Schizophrenia (Paranoid Type) and a Specific Learning Disorder.
Index Offence
- The following summary of the Index Offence is based on information contained in last year’s Reasons for Disposition dated March 31, 2025. Further information may be obtained from the Hospital Report dated January 26, 2026, which was filed as Exhibit 1 at the hearing.
At 1:15 am on the 30th July, 2019, a male broke through the front door of [the victim’s address], Hamilton, and shot and killed [the victim]. Charged with First Degree Murder is Mark DUCKETT (92/09/26) of Hamilton.
The victim in this case, 28-year-old [victim’s name]., lived with his girlfriend J., his adult sister, A., his mother and her boyfriend on the West Mountain of Hamilton. The accused, Mark DUCK