Two years ago, Wadea Al-Lala was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder for fatally stabbing Maryanne Blandizzi 16 to 17 times in a North York apartment building during a psychotic episode driven by schizophrenia and drug use.
While the Ontario Review Board found Al-Lala continues to be a 'significant threat to public safety,' it has recently increased his annual privileges to include leaving the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to live in the community as well as travel for seven days through Southern Ontario.
'The Board is satisfied that adding a discretionary community living privilege – along with the appropriate safeguards – is the least restrictive means of supporting Mr. Al-Lala’s continued reintegration into society while maintaining public safety.'
How can this happen so soon? The ORB’s mandate is to balance protection of the public with the ultimate goal of putting people found NCR back into the community. And sometimes, it feels like they’re in an awful hurry. They’re responsible for some of the most dangerous people in our midst – and yet they seem willing to err on the side of increasing their privileges to the outside world, rather than on the side of ensuring community safety.
And that’s just one ORB decision of many this month alone that makes you want to give your head a shake. They’re the government tribunal responsible for increasing freedom for a mentally ill young man who killed his mom – but the ORB doesn’t even have the correct details about the slaying.
'On March 9, 2021, K. (A.) shot his mother, causing her death,' says their recent synopsis. 'She had fatal wounds to her back and her head. He telephoned police to indicate “my mother is dying.”' In fact, news reports from the time said the 15-year-old was hearing voices telling him she was a demon and he had to kill his mom – or be killed – so he stabbed her 20 times.
Just three years after the London teen was found not criminally responsible (NCR) due to his schizophrenia on a charge of second-degree murder, and despite him still being considered a 'significant threat' to public safety who declines programming and psychological testing, doesn’t take his meds and has absconded while on a pass, the ORB recently decided that his disposition for the coming year should include a chance at community living in Toronto.
In another ORB head scratcher this month, a Waterloo-area man who said he killed his infant son with an axe in 2021 because he was listening to a command from God is being allowed to return to his Mennonite community to live with his wife. Isaac Martin, declared NCR in 2024 due to bipolar disorder with psychotic features, remains a significant threat and his mental illness has a high rate of relapse, but the ORB said his privileges this year should include a possible move back to the scene of the crime.
'Reintegration with his Mennonite community is key for both management of risk and Mr. Martin’s long-term stability,' the decision says. 'The process of acceptance by the community has occurred during this reporting period, and the community expects that Mr. Martin will return to live with his wife. The treatment team is working to support enhanced communication and understanding between Mr. Martin and his wife.'
A Toronto man who killed his brother in 2020 and stabbed a stranger in the back is also getting more freedom. Kenroy Samuel was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder in 2021 on charges of assault causing bodily harm and manslaughter. Though he still suffers from schizophrenia and poses a 'significant threat,' the ORB expanded his privileges this year to 'gradually' include unescorted passes into the community due to his impressive improvement and compliance with injectable medication.
And these are all decisions released just this month – where we just have to hope the ORB has it right.
