Tara Anne Raftery

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

The accused, diagnosed with treatment-refractory schizophrenia and severe substance use disorders, had recently eloped from the hospital, leading to rapid mental decompensation.

Accepting the uncontroverted evidence of the treating psychiatrist, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention disposition with no changes, concluding it was the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to manage the risk.

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

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder for various offences including assault, suffers from treatment-resistant schizophrenia and substance use disorder.

The Board heard evidence from the treating psychiatrist that while the accused has made remarkable progress in managing command hallucinations and improving nutritional intake, he continues to require intensive supervision.

Adopting a joint submission from all parties, the Board concluded the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and renewed his detention order at the hospital on the same terms and conditions.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for the first-degree murder of her infant daughter, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for her first annual review.

The Board found that she continues to present a significant threat to public safety due to her Bipolar I Disorder, though her risk level had decreased following a tubal ligation and stabilization on medication.

Adopting the joint submission of the parties, the Board rescinded a previous order transferring her to another facility and renewed her detention order at the current hospital, emphasizing the need for a gradual, highly supported reintegration into the community.