Sheila Joan Cressman

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

The accused had a history of polysubstance abuse resulting in psychotic symptoms.

The hospital, Crown, and accused jointly submitted that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety but supported expanding his privileges to allow travel for employment as a roofer and for family visits.

The Board adopted the expert evidence, found the accused remained a significant threat, and ordered a continued Detention Order with the requested expanded travel privileges.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for indecent acts and sexual assault.

The accused's diagnoses included bipolar disorder and cannabis use disorder.

The Board found that the accused continued to pose a significant threat to public safety due to the risk of relapse in the context of medication non-adherence or substance use.

However, noting the accused's recent stability, adherence to treatment, and successful transition to community living, the Board concluded that a conditional discharge was the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to manage the risk.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found unfit to stand trial on sexual assault and sexual interference charges.

The accused suffers from expressive aphasia following a stroke.

The Board determined that the accused remains unfit to stand trial, as his communication limitations prevent him from instructing counsel in a complex trial.

The Board ordered his continued detention at the hospital with privileges up to living in the community, adding new conditions prohibiting attendance at places where children are present and requiring abstinence from psychoactive substances and alcohol.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for offences including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and assault police.

The accused, diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder, had transitioned to supportive community housing and remained stable and compliant with medication over the past year.

While all parties agreed the accused remained a significant threat to public safety, the accused sought a conditional discharge.

The Board concluded a detention disposition remained necessary to ensure adequate oversight, particularly regarding housing approvals and the ability to intervene early if his mental state deteriorated.

The Board varied the disposition to allow up to 14 days of indirectly supervised travel within Ontario and reduced his reporting frequency to once every two weeks.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, continues to experience violent auditory hallucinations and lacks insight into his illness, believing his symptoms are caused by medication.

The Board accepted the treating psychiatrist's evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered a continued Detention Disposition at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, denying the accused's request to reduce reporting requirements and removing a previous privilege for indirectly supervised travel.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, had disengaged from rehabilitative programming and exhibited psychiatric instability.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his severe mental illness, lack of insight, and risk of medication non-compliance.

The Board ordered that the accused remain subject to a detention order at the hospital with privileges up to living in the community in approved accommodation.

The accused, who has severe autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, was charged with aggravated assault after attacking his mother and sister.

He was previously found unfit to stand trial and detained at CAMH.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to determine his fitness and the appropriate disposition.

The Board found that the accused remains unfit to stand trial due to his profound cognitive limitations.

The Board ordered his continued detention on a general forensic unit at CAMH, with graduated passes and the possibility of community living in approved accommodation to facilitate gradual reintegration.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault and resisting a police officer.

The accused has treatment-resistant schizophrenia and a history of non-adherence to medication.

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

The Board ordered that the current detention disposition continue unchanged, allowing the accused to reside in approved community housing while remaining subject to hospital supervision.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and a restriction of liberty hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for assault and other offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, had taken an unauthorized leave from his community residence, used cannabis, and experienced a relapse of psychotic symptoms requiring hospital readmission.

Applying the Winko and Campbell frameworks, the Board found that the restriction of liberty was necessary and appropriate.

The Board further concluded that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of the current detention disposition.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault and assault with a weapon.

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia, substance use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.

Due to repeated substance use and security subversion, the hospital had increased restrictions on his liberty by transferring him to a secure unit.

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

The Board ordered a Detention Disposition and confirmed that the restriction of liberty was necessary and appropriate.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had recently been discharged to community housing and was doing well.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the Detention Order without change, noting it was the least restrictive and least onerous Disposition.

The hospital requested an early review of the accused's disposition to recommend transferring his care to the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care, following his relocation to Windsor for employment.

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon, continues to suffer from schizophrenia and a substance use disorder.

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

The Board approved the transfer and ordered that the accused remain subject to a Detention Order Disposition to ensure adequate supervision and risk management in his new community.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the disposition of an accused found not criminally responsible for various offences, and to review a restriction of liberty following his readmission to the hospital.

The accused, who suffers from treatment-refractory schizophrenia and substance use disorder, had been living in the community but was readmitted after relapsing on cannabis and exhibiting aggressive behaviour towards co-residents.

The Board accepted the psychiatric evidence that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his underdeveloped insight, risk of medication non-compliance, and history of violence when unwell.

The Board ordered the continuation of his detention order and found that the hospital's decision to readmit him was the least restrictive and least onerous intervention available.

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

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for robbery and aggravated assault, is diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his fragile mental state, history of violence, and recent unauthorized leave of absence involving substance use.

The Board ordered that the accused remain detained at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health with discretionary privileges up to and including community living.

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

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon.

The Board heard uncontroverted expert evidence that while the accused had a stable year and transitioned to independent living, he continues to lack insight and remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge with conditions, including a requirement to reside at a specified address and a consent to treatment clause.

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

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault, suffers from treatment-refractory schizophrenia and has recently experienced delusions regarding his family members.

The Board accepted the uncontroverted expert evidence that the accused lacks insight into his illness and would likely discontinue medication if granted an absolute discharge, which would lead to rapid decompensation and a high risk of violence.

The Board concluded that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of the existing Conditional Discharge.

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

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm and aggravated assault.

Relying on uncontroverted expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found that the accused, who suffers from treatment refractory schizophrenia and lacks insight into his illness, continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order, noting that a conditional discharge would be inadequate to manage the risk of decompensation and reoffending.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for weapons and assault offences due to schizophrenia.

Based on the uncontroverted expert evidence of the treating psychiatrist and the joint submission of the parties, the Board concluded that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to determine if the accused was fit to stand trial on various charges including sexual assault and break and enter.

Based on uncontroverted psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused remained unfit to stand trial due to schizoaffective disorder and paranoia.

The Board ordered a Detention Order at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health as the necessary and appropriate disposition to manage the significant threat to public safety.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault and indecent acts.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, had made positive progress over the year, including medication optimization and abstinence from substances.

However, relying on uncontroverted expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to residual symptoms and limited insight.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order at the hospital.