Re: Amedeo Ceschia
ORB File No: 8796
Hearing held on: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Place of hearing: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Pursuant to: Section 672.47(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. J. Goldenberg
Members: Dr. R. Wood Hill
Dr. G. Nexhipi
Ms. A. Israel
Ms. K. McMillan
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Amedeo Ceschia (via Zoom)
Counsel: Ms. J. Fitzgerald (via Zoom)
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Ms. M. Warner
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. D. Brandes
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated June 10, 2026)
Introduction
On November 27, 2024, Amedeo Ceschia was found not criminally responsible (“NCR”) by way of mental disorder on a charge of arson: reckless disregard for human life, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (the “Criminal Code”). He was released on bail subject to a number of conditions including an order to appear before the Ontario Review Board (the “Board”) when ordered to do so.
On May 26, 2026, a panel of the Board convened an initial hearing pursuant to s. 672.47(1) of the Criminal Code. Mr. Ceschia and his lawyer appeared virtually via Zoom for the hearing.
The Record for the hearing consisted of the Notice of Hearing dated March 9, 2026, along with a collection of six Pre-hearing Conference reports. On consent of all parties, a Hospital Report, dated February 20, 2026, was entered into evidence as Exhibit 1. Other evidence entered included the criminal file, which was comprised of three Occurrence Reports, a Synopsis, a Release Order, a report by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (the “Hospital”) dated August 19, 2024, a transcript of the NCR hearing, Court Information, and a Defer Disposition Decision dated November 22, 2024.
The parties were canvassed for their initial positions. In preliminary positions, significant threat was not contested. Ms. Warner, appearing for the Hospital, recommended a Conditional Discharge with a residence clause to reside at Villa Colombo, 40 Playfair Avenue, North York, and reporting to the Forensic Outpatient Service (“FOPS”) not less than once every two weeks. The representative of the Attorney General joined with the Hospital position. Counsel for Mr. Ceschia also joined the Hospital. The parties were also in agreement that it was appropriate to include a condition that Mr. Ceschia is to refrain from having in his possession any incendiary device or materials.
For the following reasons, the Board accepts and finds that Mr. Ceschia represents a significant threat to the safety of the public. It has further concluded that the necessary and appropriate disposition, having regard to the primary objective of assuring the safety of the public, together with the other objectives set out in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code, and applying the principle of minimal intrusion, is a Conditional Discharge, with the terms and conditions agreed upon by all of the parties.
Current Psychiatric Diagnosis
- Unspecified Neurocognitive Disorder with psychotic features.
Background and Index Offence
Mr. Amedeo Ceschia is an 86-year-old man, born in Italy, who immigrated to Canada in adulthood. He was raised as an only child and described a largely unremarkable upbringing, although his recollection of early life is limited and at times inconsistent. His parents are deceased, and he has a history of limited social supports. He was previously married for a brief period and has one adult daughter, with whom he has had a longstanding, largely estranged relationship, with only intermittent contact prior to the index offence. He has generally lived a socially isolated lifestyle with few sustained interpersonal relationships.
Mr. Ceschia completed elementary education and some secondary schooling. He denied any history of conduct disorder, aggression, or antisocial behaviour in childhood or adolescence. He entered the workforce in early adulthood and maintained a consistent employment history, including work in skilled trades and eventually operating a small mechanical business. There is no evidence of longstanding behavioural or criminal difficulties prior to the onset of his mental illness.
Mr. Ceschia’s medical history is notable for several chronic and age-related conditions. Although he reported limited engagement with medical care, collateral records document various physical health concerns. Of greater relevance is his psychiatric history prior to the index offence, which reflects a progressive course of cognitive decline and psychotic symptoms beginning in or about 2018–2019. During this period, he had multiple emergency presentations associated with paranoia, somatic concerns, confusion, and suicidality. He expressed persistent persecutory delusions, often involving a belief that a lawyer was attempting to harm or poison him. He was diagnosed on several occasions with a neurocognitive disorder with behavioural disturbance and psychosis. His engagement in psychiatric treatment was inconsistent and marked by poor adherence to prescribed medication.
With respect to substance use, Mr. Ceschia denied any history of problematic alcohol or drug use. Collateral information is consistent with the absence of a substance use disorder. There is no evidence that substance use contributed to his mental state at the time of the offence.
Mr. Ceschia has no prior criminal record and no history of violent or offending behaviour before the index offence. His prior interactions with police were limited to mental health apprehensions related to suicidality and episodes of confusion and paranoia.
Mr. Ceschia admitted that on July 14, 2022, he lit papers on fire that were on the floor of his room in the rooming house that he lived in.
The residence was located at 137 Sixth Street, in the City of Toronto. Mr. Ceschia was in his early eighties when he committed this act. Nine other people lived in the residence. After Mr. Ceschia lit the fire, another resident whose room was right next to Mr. Ceschia’s noticed smoke and opened the door to Mr. Ceschia’s room. The other resident observed the fire that Mr. Ceschia had started. When he saw the other resident, Mr. Ceschia pushed his bedroom door shut and locked it, even while his room was filling with smoke from the fire.
Fortunately, the other resident called 911. All of the other people who lived in the home were evacuated from the home. Toronto Police Service officers attended at the residence and attempted to put out the fire. Firefighters also attended and took Mr. Ceschia from his room and from the residence. Police officers discovered melted plastic and burnt debris at the base of Mr. Ceschia’s bedroom door and paper scattered all over the bedroom floor.
Mr. Ceschia was treated for smoke inhalation by the attending paramedics. Then he was taken to hospital where he was examined. He was released on the same day. Neither he nor any of the other residents of the home or anyone else who attended at the scene, that is to say, police officers or paramedics, suffered any injuries. The damage to the property resulting from the fire was modest, approximately $500.00. That is not to say that the circumstances were anything but very serious.
Evidence at the Hearing
Dr. Ali, who assessed Mr. Ceschia on October 27, 2025, adopted the contents of the Hospital Report and provided the oral evidence for the Hospital.
Dr. Ali testified that she diagnosed Mr. Ceschia with an unspecified neurocognitive disorder with psychotic features. This diagnosis was supported by collateral hospital records.
As noted on page 14 of the Hospital Report, Ms. Panos (Mr. Ceschia's bail worker) stated that Mr. Ceschia continued to endorse paranoia while residing at Villa Colombo, a long-term care facility. Dr. Ali recommended that as an outpatient, Mr. Ceschia should continue his antipsychotic medication.
In her testimony, Dr. Ali referred to page 14 of the Hospital Report whereby Ms. Panos reported that after an initial tenure at a temporary shelter, Scarborough Village, Mr. Ceschia was accepted to Villa Colombo where he can stay indefinitely. She testified that Mr. Ceschia is currently being housed on a high elopement floor, which means he cannot leave the unit on his own. Dr. Ali indicated that Mr. Ceschia’s needs are being met at Villa Colombo, and she supports his continued residence there.
Dr. Ali indicated that the FOPS will need to assess Mr. Ceschia's mental status, his medications, understand his daily activities, provide education about the pathway forward and determine where Mr. Ceschia would live in the future.
In response to a question from the Crown, Dr. Ali indicated that with respect to a re-offence scenario and the issue of significant threat, the biggest support for Mr. Ceschia is his current housing. Having said that, she noted that Mr. Ceschia has limited insight into his mental status and does not understand his mental condition which, taken together, could pose a risk.
In response to questions from counsel, Dr. Ali testified that Mr. Ceschia has had a history of problems with treatment as a result of being non-adherent to his medications. Over the past 12 months his mental status has fluctuated, which has caused him to act erratically. As reported by Ms. Panos, he is unable to understand his legal case. However, he has had no overt aggression.
In response to questions from counsel, Dr. Ali confirmed that there had been no violence in the hospital before the index offence and that any psychosis after age 81 is not likely the result of a primary psychotic illness. She indicated that she does not know if he is currently taking his medications.
In response to questions from the panel, Dr. Ali testified that Hospital staff have faced challenges communicating with the staff at Villa Colombo. She indicated that once the Board issues a Disposition, Mr. Ceschia will be connected to the FOPS and will have an evaluation regarding his housing and follow-up contact will be initiated with Villa Colombo.
Dr. Ali testified that Mr. Ceschia has a daughter; however, they have limited contact.
Submissions
At the end of the hearing, the parties renewed their submissions as stated at the hearing's outset. Ms. Warner, speaking for the Hospital, indicated that there is still a lot to learn over the next year given that the evidence reflects the risk of a major mental illness and uncertainty with respect to how it is being treated. She emphasized that Mr. Ceschia is being well cared for at his long-term care facility where they are able to monitor his medications and liaise with the FOPS team. Ms. Warner affirmed that a Conditional Discharge represents the least onerous and least restrictive disposition with a clause to reside at Villa Colombo. She confirmed that she does not have instructions regarding a condition restricting access to incendiary devices, however the evidence supports it.
The representative of the Attorney General joined the Hospital’s position and supported the joint Disposition. Mr. Brandes agreed on the issue of significant threat and stated that, once there is a greater understanding of Mr. Ceschia's condition and treatment, then matters can move quickly, and he will be under the Board's jurisdiction working towards his ultimate goal of an Absolute Discharge. Currently, a Conditional Discharge represents the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.
Counsel for Mr. Ceschia participated in the joint submission and highlighted that Mr. Ceschia was a law-abiding citizen until the age of 84. He had no physical violence until 2019 and at age 81 exhibited his first signs of illness. He has no history of substance use and should be able to participate in the community with social engagement to promote his quality of life.
Analysis and Conclusion
Having heard and considered the entirety of the evidence as well as submissions from the parties, the Board agrees with the joint submission: Mr. Ceschia remains a significant threat to the safety of the public.
In Winko, the Supreme Court outlined that, in coming to the conclusion on the issue of significant risk, a Review Board should closely examine a range of evidence, including: the circumstances of the original offence; the past and expected course of the accused’s treatment; the present state of the NCR accused’s medical condition; the NCR accused’s own plans for the future; the support existing for the NCR accused in the community; and most importantly, the recommendations provided by experts who examined the NCR accused. In coming to our conclusion in this matter, the Board relies on the uncontroverted expert evidence of Dr. Ali, in addition to the documentary evidence before us.
Mr. Ceschia has a major mental illness, partial insight into the symptoms of his cognitive decline, and limited insight regarding his symptoms of psychosis. He also has limited social supports. The re-offence scenario is described at page 17 of the Hospital Report:
“In risk assessment, one of the best predictors is a patient’s history of violence. If Mr. Ceschia were to reoffend, it would likely transpire in the context of psychotic exacerbation in the context of noncompliance with medications, increased stressors, or further cognitive decline. This would result in increased paranoia and/or delusions, perceptual disturbances, and potentially violent ideation. As Mr. Ceschia has partial insight into his memory issues and limited insight into his psychotic illness, he would be unable to appreciate his symptoms and may not seek help appropriately. He would be at increased risk of misinterpreting cues from the environment as threats to his safety, and subsequently acting in a disorganized, impulsive and aggressive manner.”
Turning to the issue of disposition, the Board is mindful of the provisions of s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code and of its primary objective to ensure the safety of the public. It is also mindful of the important consideration and balancing of the other objectives pertaining to ensuring that Mr. Ceschia's mental health and other needs are met, including the ultimate objective of reintegration into the community.
Applying the principle of minimal intrusion, the Board is of the view that a Conditional Discharge, specifying the residence of Villa Colombo, reporting to the person in charge not less than once every two weeks, and refraining from having in his possession any incendiary device or materials, is the necessary an appropriate Disposition having regard to the objectives set out in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code. An order will be issued accordingly. In concluding the hearing, the panel acknowledged that Mr. Ceschia is currently on a locked unit and it is at the discretion of the staff of Villa Colombo as to whether he is permitted to leave the unit. The panel concluded that the Disposition is not required to specify any particular unit, and his placement will therefore be determined following his assessment by the FOPS team.
DATED this 10^th^ day of June, 2026, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Ms. A. Israel
Legal Member
__________________
Office of the Registrar
Ontario Review Board