Alberta man Tyler Millar Smith-Lowe has been sentenced April 2 in Calgary Court of Justice to 3.5 years in prison for stealing a priceless piece of artwork from Dr. Valerie Grossman – the founder and CEO of Health Reach Canada Inc.
Dr. Grossman discovered that valuable artwork had been stolen during the Oct. 24, 2021, break and enter. This artwork was never recovered.
Court heard that Dr. Grossman and her husband Mitchell Grossman weren’t home at the time Smith-Lowe broke into their home Oct. 24., 2021. Their daughter Lisa Cohen went to their home after a security alarm was triggered. She found the glass had been smashed at the entry door, and furniture were interfered with, closets were open, personal property had been taken, and items of artwork were missing from the residence.
In addition to the break in and theft of property, the accused made calls of extortion and intimidation on the land line phone of the residence and to the cellphone of Dr. Grossman. Smith-Lowe attempted to extort money from the Grossmans. He threatened the Grossmans with their lives if they did not pay one million dollars in one hundred-dollar bills and in a gold bar. In the course of the calls by Smith-Lowe to extort the Grossmans he uttered multiple anti-semitic words to Dr. Grossman. He threatened the Grossmans in the attempt to extort them.
Dr. Grossman, Mr. Grossman and their daughter Lisa Cohen have filed detailed Victim Impact Statements which are entered into the court.
Dr. Grossman testifies that she continues to suffer from the psychological consequences of the break in. She has lost a sense of security and safety in her own home. She tells the court that her sleep continues to be interrupted.
The extortion and intimidation offences have had continuing negative impact for Dr. Grossman, her husband and children. She tells the Court, “I’m still on high alert and hyper vigilant. My focus and concentration still are impacted as anything out of the ordinary puts me on guard. The threats to my life and those of my family are not forgotten.”
Dr. Grossman’s husband, Mitchell Grossman has filed a Victim Impact Statement which has been updated 2-years post event. Mr. Grossman says in the updated Victim Impact Statement that
“The impact of the anti-Semitic words not only affects our concerns for our safety but the safety of the Jewish community as well. When the words were uttered “it brought back fear from my childhood and left me extremely disturbed.”
Lisa Cohen, the daughter of the Grossman’s has filed a Victim Impact Statement in September 2023. The crime continues to affect her general sense of wellbeing and security. Lisa Cohen tells the Court in the Victim Impact Statement
“often do play what happened over and over in my mind. I do not sleep very well at times, especially if I hear a noise. I have a concern for my parents, their well-being and their house. I am diligent and mindful of fact that this is has also taken a great toll them and their sense of security, safety and well-being.”
Smith-Lowe, 37, has approximately 30 convictions for noncompliance with court orders. He has long standing addiction issues. In his interactions with probation in preparation of the pre-sentence report Smith-Lowe made an expression of remorse. He stated to probation that it was “absolutely wrong to take the victims’ possessions.”
Court heard Smith-Lowe has been unsuccessful in his decades long struggle with addictions issues over the past 20 years. He has lived a transient lifestyle, he has no stable support in the community. He has not succeeded in completing drug treatment programs in the past.
Even though Mr. Smith-Lowe has been referred for mental health counselling in the past, he has not attended. His files have been closed.
Honourable Justice H.A. Lamoureux said the 13-year prison sentence that the Crown had sought would be harsh and excessive, even when the court considers the significant impact of the crimes upon the victims.
Smith-Lowe had made a direct lengthy statement to the court. Justice Lamoureux said he appears as a changed man. The years he has spent in custody while awaiting trial and sentencing have been put to good use. Smith-Lowe has embarked upon an extensive journey of rehabilitation. He has apparently concluded university level courses. He has addressed his severe addiction issues with programming and reflection.
“Indeed Mr. Smith-Lowe thanked the Crown ‘for keeping me in custody’ while he undertook rehabilitation and education,” said Justice Lamoureux, adding, “In the court’s view Mr. Smith-Lowe recognizes the harm he caused to the Grossmans. He apologized to them on the record.”
Justice Lamoureux said the court recognizes the significant steps to rehabilitate, Smith-Lowe’s insight into the harm he caused, and his relatively young age as significant mitigating factors.
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