A woman who was found not criminally responsible for fatally stabbing a stranger in a downtown Toronto drugstore ten years ago has been granted an absolute discharge after an Ontario board determined she no longer poses a significant risk to public safety.
In a ruling released last week, the Ontario Review Board stated that Rohinie Bisesar has gained insight into her condition and has coped with challenges, disappointments, and other difficulties “in an exemplary fashion.”
The board, which evaluates whether and how patients deemed not criminally responsible should be held, noted that Bisesar is ready to leave its oversight, thanks to support from her psychiatrist and her own “unwavering commitment.. to do everything possible she could to get better.”
Bisesar, who suffers from schizophrenia, took the life of Rosemarie Junor, 28, at a Shoppers Drug Mart located in Toronto’s underground PATH network on December 11, 2015.
She was declared not criminally responsible in a one-day trial held in November 2018.
During that trial, a psychiatrist testified that she was experiencing an untreated psychotic breakdown related to her schizophrenia when she entered the store and stabbed Junor.
Bisesar remained at a mental health facility until late 2021 when she began living within the community, according to the board’s document.
“While the tragedy cannot be undone and will always be on our minds, Ms. Bisesar no longer is a significant threat to the safety of the public, and the law requires that an absolute discharge must be imposed,” the board wrote.
“Ms. Bisesar’s commitment to her present health has substantially contributed to this result. The board acknowledges the effort Ms. Bisesar has put into her recovery and wishes her well in her next chapter.”
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