Former CTV Ottawa weathercaster found not criminally responsible on harassment charges
Former CTV Ottawa weathercaster J.J. Clarke has been found not criminally responsible in relation to three charges of harassment against three people.
Clarke, whose legal name is Ronald Rowat, was arrested on Jan. 28, 2021 and had been charged with seven counts of harassment, four of which were later withdrawn by the Crown.
The judge heard a summary of the allegations and was provided with a 25-page report by a forensic psychiatrist who concluded in the report “For the reasons above and having considered the rational motives, my opinion on a balance of probabilities is that Mr. Rowat did not know the wrongfulness and was acting on irrational motives.”
The judge agreed with the finding.
This means the criminal proceedings are now over and the case is moved into the mental health system. It has been referred to the Ontario Review Board, which will have a hearing to consider what should happen next.
“It’s the best thing for Ron and the community that he served for so many years,” said his lawyer Lawrence Greenspon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From essential goods to common stocking stuffers, Trudeau offering Canadians temporary tax relief
Canadians will soon receive a temporary tax break on several items, along with a one-time $250 rebate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
'It didn't sound good': Mother shares what her sons went through with walking pneumonia
A mother shares with CTVNews.ca her family's health scare as medical experts say cases of the disease and other respiratory illnesses have surged, filling up emergency departments nationwide.
Putin says Russia attacked Ukraine with a new missile that he claims the West can't stop
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday that Moscow has tested a new intermediate-range missile in a strike on Ukraine, and he warned that it could use the weapon against countries that have allowed Kyiv to use their missiles to strike Russia.
Manitoba RCMP issue Canada-wide warrant for Ontario semi-driver charged in deadly crash
Manitoba RCMP have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for the semi-driver involved in a crash that killed an eight-year-old girl and her mother.
Taylor Swift's motorcade spotted along Toronto's Gardiner Expressway
Taylor Swift is officially back in Toronto for round two. The popstar princess's motorcade was seen driving along the Gardiner Expressway on Tuesday afternoon, making its way to the downtown core ahead of night four of ‘The Eras Tour’ at the Rogers Centre.
Here's a list of items that will be GST/HST-free over the holidays
Canadians won’t have to pay GST on a selection of items this holiday season, the prime minister vowed on Thursday.
Mother charged after infant dies in midtown Toronto: police
The mother of an infant who died after being found at an apartment building in midtown Toronto on Wednesday has been charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life.
Trudeau says Canada would 'abide' by ICC arrest warrant for Israel PM Netanyahu
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will 'abide' by an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Tired, lead-footed and distracted: Majority of Canadian drivers admit to bad habits, survey finds
Canadian drivers are regularly in a hurry to get to their destination and a majority are willing to take unnecessary risks on the road, according to the results of a new survey.