An Ontario man who was found not criminally responsible for killing his neighbor with a machete is now living independently. He only needs to check in with his supervisors every two weeks and can take longer international trips with a caregiver, despite still posing a significant risk to public safety.
Jermaine Wood’s attorney requested that the Ontario Review Board (ORB) grant his client a conditional discharge and allow him to travel internationally without supervision. However, both the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health and the Crown successfully argued to keep Wood under a detention order, meaning he wasn’t approved for unsupervised international travel.
“The significant threat to community safety was clear due to the serious offense committed, his history of violence, serious mental health issues, and concerns regarding his housing situation,” stated a new ruling from the independent tribunal that regularly assesses individuals found not criminally responsible due to mental disorders.
This case highlights how the board tries to balance public safety with an individual’s rights.
Wood recently transitioned from a rehabilitation program in North York to independent housing funded by the Canadian Mental Health Association.
“While there are staff at the new accommodation, forensic staff aren’t present on-site,” noted the decision made on September 4. “This is different from his previous housing where forensic staff were available.”
He “thought about changing the locks for about a month.”
“Eventually, he accepted that they had indeed been changed.”
Wood’s fixation on the locks raised concerns for his psychiatrist, who informed the ORB that changes in housing create significant stress for Wood. The psychiatrist did not support Wood’s request for conditional discharge, and ORB agreed.
“His thoughts about the locks were alarming considering past struggles with stable housing and previous aggression towards co-tenants culminating in a fatal incident during this offense,” explained the ORB decision. “He needed considerable reassurance regarding whether they had been changed.”
Although the psychiatrist wanted to see how Wood would manage with less supervision on-site, there were doubts about whether he would willingly return to hospital if required.“There is an established history of assault and threats preceding this offense,” said ORB’s ruling.“If Mr. Wood stops taking medication it would only take weeks before he deteriorates.”Wood was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early twenties after moving from Guyana to Canada at age seventeen. He faced bullying at school, used cannabis, and felt homesick according to board records.“He was disheartened by life in Canada due to financial pressures on his family while balancing full-time night shifts with high school.”He has prior convictions including assault , making threats , theft , and carrying a concealed weapon.
“For some time , he consulted a psychiatrist through probation services. ” said The Decision. “ He experienced auditory hallucinations , paranoia , and lacked insight into His condition.”
“He reluctantly took medication which improved symptoms through treatment.”
In Months Before His Attack On His Neighbor At A Brampton Apartment Building In2015，Wood Reported Stopping Medication.
In The Period Leading Up To The Murder，He Had Developed Delusions About His Neighbor And Frequently Complained About Him.
On June30th2015，61-Year-old Robert Mc Collum Was Carrying Groceries As He Walked Up The Stairs Of Their Building When Wood Attacked From Behind With A Machete And Fled.
“Jermaine Wood Sliced Open (Mc Collum’s) Neck With One Swift Chop Of The Machete And Killed Him,” According To The Decision.
Wood Was Found Not Criminally Responsible For First Degree Murder In January2019.
While Panel Increased Length Of International Travel Passes To21Days From14 Days，It Mandated That He Must Travel Accompanied By An Approved Person.
According To The Ruling，“Wood Enjoyed A Positive Trip To Guyana Last Christmas With His Mother.” He Continues To See His Mother Regularly.Discussions About Unaccompanied Travel With His Psychiatrist Left Wood Stumbling When Asked What Would Happen If The Flight Was Cancelled,” Said The Decision.<pclass= ""m b-t ex t l g m d-l ea d i n g-b r e ak- w ords""Mr. Wood’s Problem-Solving Was Not At ALevel That Could Support Unaccompanied Travel. Hestill Relies On His Case Manager To Navigate Different Bus Routes In Toronto.”
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