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Rowat, was arrested on Jan. 28, 2021 and had been charged with seven counts of harassment, four of which were later withdrawn by the Crown.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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.