T. Brandon

The accused was found not criminally responsible for arson due to a mental disorder.

At the initial disposition hearing before the Ontario Review Board, the parties jointly recommended a conditional discharge.

The Board accepted the expert risk assessment indicating the accused's risk of violence is low when abstinent and supported, but that he remains vulnerable to relapse.

Finding that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, the Board ordered a conditional discharge with terms requiring abstinence from intoxicants, testing, and ongoing psychiatric treatment.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for offences including threatening death and causing a disturbance.

The accused, who has diagnoses of Schizoaffective Disorder and Substance Use Disorder, had made progress but continued to lack insight into his mental illness and need for medication.

The Board accepted uncontroverted expert evidence that the accused remained a moderate risk for violent re-offending and required the structure of a forensic setting.

The Board concluded the accused continued to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered a continued detention disposition, while expanding his indirectly supervised community access to facilitate reintegration.