Re: William Warwick
ORB File No: 6662
Hearing held on: Monday, May 4, 2026
Place of hearing: Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. P. Capelle Members: Dr. P.L. Darby Dr. L. Lightfoot Ms. C. Murray Ms. M. McKinnon
Parties Appearing:
Accused: William Warwick Counsel: Mr. A. Rai
Person in Charge of Hospital: Representative: Ms. T. Newman
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. S. Curry
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated May 19, 2026)
Introduction:
[1]. On December 15, 2014, William Warwick was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (“NCR”) on a charge of attempt to commit murder, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (“Criminal Code”). He is currently subject to a Disposition of the Ontario Review Board (“ORB” or “the Board”) dated May 7, 2025, detaining him at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care – Provincial Forensic Programs Division, Penetanguishene (“Waypoint” or “the Hospital”), with the outer limit of privileges being hospital and grounds privileges, beyond the secure perimeter, escorted by staff.
[2]. On May 4, 2026, a panel of the Board convened to review Mr. Warwick’s disposition pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. Mr. Warwick was present for his hearing and was represented by counsel, Mr. Rai, throughout.
[3]. A Hospital Report dated March 23, 2026, was marked as Exhibit 1. In addition to the documentary evidence, Mr. Warwick’s attending psychiatrist, Dr. A. Mishra, gave viva voce evidence at the hearing.
[4]. The issues to be decided at the hearing were whether Mr. Warwick continues to represent 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 to manage that risk having regard to the criteria set out in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
Position of the Parties:
[5]. At the outset of the hearing, the parties were asked for their initial without prejudice positions. On behalf of the hospital, Ms. Newman took the position that Mr. Warwick remains a significant threat to the safety of the public, and that a Detention Order with the same terms and conditions as last year remained necessary and appropriate. Ms. Curry supported the position of the hospital on behalf of the Attorney General.
[6]. Mr. Rai did not contest the issue of significant threat and agreed with the hospital’s position.
[7]. The parties maintained their joint position in closing submissions.
Findings:
[8]. For the reasons set out below, the Board found that Mr. Warwick continues to pose a significant threat to public safety. The Board 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 without change.
Index Offence:
[9]. The circumstances of the index offence is described in detail in the Hospital Report and relevant portions are extracted, as follows:
Mr. Warwick’s apartment was being sprayed for bugs. The male victim had given Mr. Warwick a key to his place and permission to use it until Mr. Warwick could return to his own apartment.
On April the 8, 2014, Mr. Warwick entered the male victim’s apartment after knocking several times on the door. The victim was in the washroom. The victim saw Mr. Warwick standing in the kitchen. When the victim entered the kitchen area, Mr. Warwick gave him $5.00 towards food. Mr. Warwick was contributing to groceries because the victim was allowing him to stay at his place. The victim took the money. As the victim was standing there, Mr. Warwick grabbed him from behind and pushed him against the sink. Mr. Warwick had a yellow box cutter knife in his hand. Mr. Warwick began sawing at the victim’s throat using the box cutter. While engaged in the attack Mr. Warwick kept saying, "You're not Jesus of Nazareth.” Mr. Warwick sliced the victim’s neck around 5 times. The victim told Mr. Warwick over and over to stop cutting him as he struggled to break free. The victim was able to yell for help as he knew there was a staff member in the hallway.”
Background:
[10]. The Hospital Report details Mr. Warwick’s personal background and history and will not be repeated extensively herein. Briefly, Mr. Warwick is a 79-year-old man born in Hamilton, Ontario. He struggled in school and dropped out in grade nine. In his late teens, Mr. Warwick enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces (“CAF”). He attended training in Petawawa. After a few weeks, his mental health deteriorated to the point that he required hospitalization in Ottawa. He was discharged from the CAF on account of his mental health issues.
[11]. Mr. Warwick has a prior criminal charge of Attempt Murder in 1998. The victim suffered a fractured neck. He was found NCR on that charge on October 8, 1998. He was granted an Absolute Discharge in 2004.
[12]. Mr. Warwick continues to reside on Beausoleil B at Waypoint. For several years, Mr. Warwick has held the highest security level, C5, which permits independent off unit access for up to four hours. Mr. Warwick limits his off unit privileges to medical appointments and services. He does not socialize at the canteen area, nor does he use his privileges for leisure or recreational activities. He has ventured off the unit to purchase things only very occasionally.
[13]. Consistent with previous years, Mr. Warwick’s mental health is stable, but he continues to have ongoing symptoms including distressing auditory hallucinations with religious overtones.
[14]. In February 2026, Mr. Warwick reported a worsening in the duration, intensity, and frequency of auditory hallucinations. He used prayer as a coping mechanism and appropriately requested PRN medications to manage the symptoms. Mr. Warwick stopped listening to the radio because he experienced paranoid/referential delusions from it.
[15]. Mr. Warwick demonstrates low distress tolerance for change or uncertainty. The clinical team has reported that he becomes very irritable at even the slightest change in routine.
[16]. During the reporting period, the occupational therapist has recommended that Mr. Warwick complete the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Mr. Warwick declined to participate in the assessment and declined to participate in a program to enhance his memory. He did not participate in any groups.
[17]. During the reporting period, Mr. Warwick has had no episodes of physical aggression. He has built a strong therapeutic relationship with his clinical team.
[18]. Mr. Warwick is capable of consenting to treatment.
[19]. Mr. Warwick’s psychiatric diagnosis is Schizophrenia, Paranoid Type.
Oral Evidence at the Hearing:
[20]. Dr. A. Mishra, Mr. Warwick’s most responsible psychiatrist, supplemented the documentary evidence with his viva voce evidence. He testified at the hearing as follows.
a. Mr. Warwick requested an increase in his antidepressant medication this year, which was provided. Diazepam was also added as a PRN. To his credit, Mr. Warwick has been using the PRN appropriately. Mr. Warwick is content with the changes to his medication and finds the changes to have been helpful.
b. Mr. Warwick wishes to remain at Waypoint. He has very good insight into his illness and factors that aggravate his symptoms. Any change to his daily routine can be quite upsetting to him. He tends to adhere to his daily routine and structure. The Beausoleil Program provides familiarity and structure; Mr. Warwick understands that any change to this structure is likely to exacerbate his symptoms.
c. Any deviation from his routine causes Mr. Warwick significant stress, resulting in a decline in his mental health. This increases his risk to the public.
d. Mr. Warwick has maintained a C5 security level for at least four to five years.
e. Mr. Warwick has experienced an increase in auditory hallucinations, which are not commanding in nature.
f. Mr. Warwick resided on the Beausoleil Program the entirety of the year.
g. In the coming year, the hospital is looking at adapting the environment to suit Mr. Warwick’s needs as he ages.
[21]. Mr. Warwick provided viva voce evidence at the hearing. He thanked the Board for their conclusions. He thanked the hospital for allowing him to stay at Waypoint. He stated that he was happy residing at Waypoint and doesn’t want to move.
Analysis and Conclusions:
[22]. Having heard and considered the entirety of the evidence, as well as the joint submissions of the parties, the Board independently finds that Mr. Warwick continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public.
[23]. Mr. Warwick’s risk arises from his major mental illness, Schizophrenia, Paranoid Type. He continues to experience active and distressing symptoms of his illness, including auditory hallucinations. This reporting year, Mr. Warwick experienced worsening in the duration, intensity, and frequency of auditory hallucinations. The intensity of the voices and anxiety has only recently subsided. He continues to demonstrate low distress tolerance to even the slightest changes in his routine.
[24]. Further, Mr. Warwick has not participated in any groups. He has self-limited the use of his available privileges.
[25]. In light of the Board’s finding of significant threat, it is charged with shaping a Disposition for the coming year. All parties were ad idem regarding the Disposition, specifically that there should be no change to the current Disposition. The evidence supported the position of the parties.
[26]. Despite Mr. Warwick demonstrating no behavioural issues this year, his current Disposition remains the least onerous and least restrictive under the circumstances. The Board would like to see Mr. Warwick exercise his privileges more frequently and participate in some groups in the coming year.
[27]. The Board commends Mr. Warwick for a good year behaviourally and for developing a good relationship with his clinical team.
[28]. In consideration of all the evidence, the joint submissions of the parties, and the criteria set forth in s. 672.54, the paramount consideration being the safety of the public, in addition to the mental condition of Mr. Warwick, his reintegration into society and his other needs, the necessary and appropriate disposition is a Detention Disposition with no change from the current Detention Order.
DATED this 19th day of May 2026, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Ms. C. Murray Legal Member
Ontario Review Board Office of the Registrar