Ontario Review Board

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review of the accused's conditional discharge disposition.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder, has a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

While she had a generally successful year living independently and maintaining employment, she incurred a new charge for breaching a no-contact condition and purchased a vehicle without consulting her treatment team.

The Board found that she continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to her limited insight and potential for rapid decompensation.

The Board ordered the continuation of her conditional discharge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for murder.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had a positive reporting year but recently suffered a significant decompensation involving delusions and paranoia directed at his parents.

The Board accepted the hospital's evidence that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered continued detention at the forensic service with added privileges for community living (to access housing waitlists) and accompanied passes into the community within a 150-kilometre radius to allow family visits.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an early review of the accused's disposition following his decompensation and readmission to the hospital.

The hospital requested the hearing to reinstate a prohibition on cannabis use, arguing it was necessary for the accused's stability and rehabilitation.

The Board accepted the joint submission and expert psychiatric evidence, finding that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered his continued detention at the hospital with a strict prohibition on all illicit substances, including cannabis, to provide external motivation for his recovery.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assaulting a peace officer and mischief.

The accused suffers from treatment refractory schizoaffective disorder, substance use disorder, and intellectual development disorder.

The Board accepted the uncontested psychiatric evidence that the accused continues to experience psychotic symptoms, lacks insight, and requires 24/7 supervision.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered the continuation of his detention disposition, with expanded geographic boundaries for passes to facilitate placement on a waitlist for supportive housing.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for attempt to commit murder.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorder, had made significant progress in the community and maintained abstinence.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties, finding that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to the risk of rapid decompensation.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention disposition with expanded community privileges, including reduced reporting requirements and the removal of abstain and no-contact clauses.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to determine the appropriate disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for mischief.

The accused's treatment team reported a positive year with improved insight, though he continues to experience fluctuations in his mental state.

All parties made a joint submission recommending a conditional discharge with a treatment clause.

The Board accepted the joint submission, finding that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety but that his risk can be managed in the community on a conditional discharge.

The accused was found unfit to stand trial on account of mental disorder and referred to the Ontario Review Board.

At the initial hearing, the primary issue was whether the accused had become fit to stand trial.

The Board heard evidence from the accused's treating psychiatrist that she continues to experience psychotic symptoms, disorganization, and struggles to understand the trial process and consequences despite fitness coaching.

The Board applied the legal test for fitness and concluded that the accused remains unfit to stand trial.

A Detention Order on terms was issued.

The hospital requested an early review of the accused's Conditional Discharge Disposition after he eloped from the hospital and his mental health deteriorated due to medication non-compliance.

The accused, who has a diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder and a history of unprovoked violence, experienced a psychotic decompensation requiring involuntary admission and seclusion.

The Ontario Review Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered a Detention Order Disposition, as his risk could no longer be safely managed in the community.

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible and discharged to a community residence, failed to return to his residence after a hospital visit for a physical illness.

He was found in another city and returned to the forensic psychiatry program, where he was highly agitated and required seclusion and restraints.

The hospital held a restriction of liberty hearing under s. 672.81(2.1) of the Criminal Code.

The Ontario Review Board accepted the treating psychiatrist's evidence that the return to hospital and ongoing detention were warranted and represented the least onerous and least restrictive decision consistent with public safety.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for the accused, who was found not criminally responsible for assault and uttering threats.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, has been stable on medication and is awaiting transition to a supervised community residence.

The Board accepted the consensus recommendation of the hospital, Crown, and defence counsel to maintain the current detention order with privileges, finding it provides the appropriate balance between public safety and the accused's rehabilitative needs during his transition to the community.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition.

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and criminal harassment.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to schizophrenia and substance use disorder.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order, noting that while the accused has made progress, he requires close monitoring and supervision to manage his risk.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon and assaulting a peace officer.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorder, had made significant progress in a transitional facility.

However, based on uncontroverted psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused remained a significant threat to public safety due to the risk of decompensation.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention disposition on a joint submission from all parties.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm.

The hospital, supported by the Crown and the accused's counsel, recommended an absolute discharge.

The Board accepted the psychiatric evidence that the accused had been stable in the community for over ten years, compliant with medication, and free of violent behaviour for at least two years.

Finding that the accused no longer posed a significant threat to the safety of the public, the Board granted an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and a restriction of liberties hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon and uttering threats.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, had his community privileges restricted after an unauthorized leave of absence during which he consumed cannabis and was found in a psychotic state.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered a continuation of his detention disposition, concluding that he requires the structured monitoring of the hospital.

The Board also held that the hospital's restriction of his liberties was not significant in the circumstances, but rather a necessary and least restrictive day-to-day management of his risk.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for sexual assault.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and pedophilic disorder, had recently transitioned to a new supportive home where he was doing well and complying with his medication regimen.

However, relying on psychiatric evidence that the accused lacked insight into his illness and would pose a significant risk of violence or severe psychological harm if he abandoned treatment, the Board concluded he remained a significant threat to public safety.

The conditional discharge disposition was continued.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for the accused, who was previously found unfit to stand trial on various charges including assault with a weapon and uttering threats.

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia and moderate intellectual disability.

Based on the hospital report and psychiatric testimony, the Board concluded that the accused remains unfit to stand trial.

The Board ordered that the current disposition be maintained, with the addition of supervised community living privileges to promote independence and assist with supportive housing waitlists.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon and criminal harassment.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorders, experienced a difficult year marked by substance abuse and loss of housing, though he recently achieved a few weeks of abstinence.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered that the current disposition of a detention order with privileges be maintained, as it provides the necessary tools for the accused's progress while protecting the public.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault.

The hospital and Crown recommended continuing the conditional discharge due to recent signs of the accused disengaging from treatment, despite his medication compliance and lack of violence.

The Board concluded that the accused no longer posed a significant threat to public safety, citing his strong family support, medication adherence, and the willingness of his family physician to oversee his treatment.

An absolute discharge was granted.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault.

The hospital reported a significant restriction of liberty after the accused was placed in seclusion following an unprovoked assault on a co-patient.

The Board found that the accused, who suffers from treatment-resistant schizophrenia, remains a significant threat to public safety due to escalating unpredictable physical aggression.

The Board upheld the restriction of liberty as necessary and appropriate, and ordered the accused transferred to a high-secure provincial forensic program, with reduced privileges pending the transfer.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for uttering threats.

The hospital and the Crown recommended continuing the detention order at the General Forensic Unit at CAMH, and the accused's counsel agreed that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation, noting the accused's progress and diagnoses of schizophrenia and substance use disorder, and ordered continued detention with existing privileges.