A 25-year-old Hamilton man found not criminally responsible for stabbing his teenage cousin to death at a family barbecue faces indefinite detention at a psychiatric hospital.
Ontario Review Board Orders Continued Custody
The Ontario Review Board has ruled that Laureano Bistoyong must remain at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s West 5th Campus Forensic Psychiatry Program. The decision, issued on February 18, mandates annual reviews and restricts his movements to essential medical, dental, legal, or compassionate outings, always escorted by staff. Community access requires board approval and indirect supervision, with police notified of any departures.
Fatal Stabbing at Family Gathering
On Canada Day 2023, Bistoyong stabbed 16-year-old cousin Mark Bistoyong in the chest with a chef’s knife during a family barbecue near a Hamilton Mountain home. The attack followed a heated basketball game. Mark, who was eating with relatives, succumbed to his injuries.
Trial and Mental Health Assessment
In 2024, Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman initially convicted Bistoyong of second-degree murder. However, forensic psychiatrists assessed him, leading to a not criminally responsible (NCR) verdict in November. Dr. Gary Andrew Chaimowitz, after a 60-day evaluation, diagnosed schizophrenia. Bistoyong believed his cousin was a demon and could not distinguish right from wrong. His symptoms emerged gradually through social withdrawal, unnoticed by family and friends. A second expert supported this diagnosis.
Family’s Reaction and Legal Context
Mark’s mother, Merl Bistoyong, expressed outrage after the ruling. “This is not justice,” she stated outside the Hamilton courthouse. “It’s crime. My son is being victimized all over again, this time by the legal justice system.”
The NCR designation avoids a traditional conviction or acquittal, prioritizing public safety from potential future risks while ensuring treatment. The board selected detention over absolute or conditional discharge options.
