11 June 2024 , 07:47
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Socialite Rebecca Grossman has been slapped with a 15-year to life sentence for the heartbreaking hit-and-run deaths of two young brothers, Mark and Jacob Iskander, in 2020.
The ex-girlfriend of a former LA Dodgers pitcher and wife of a doctor was found guilty of a horrific car crash that claimed the lives of two boys after a boozy lunch. Judge Joseph Brandolino blasted Grossman's actions during sentencing, stating: "Her action was grossly negligent, which led to the loss of two lives, and she engaged in incredibly selfish behaviour."
Married to a high-profile Los Angeles doctor, Rebecca Grossman was speeding behind her then-partner Scott Erickson when she hit and killed 11-year-old Mark and 8-year-old Jacob. The jury convicted Grossman on all charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter, and hit-and-run resulting in death, facing up to 34 years to life behind bars.
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The heart-wrenching incident took place on September 29, 2020, in Westlake Village, near Los Angeles. Nancy Iskander, the mother of the boys, shared her ongoing sorrow, comparing the court experience to reliving her sons' funerals. After the verdict, she spoke to the media, saying: "Someone is now held accountable. Mark and Jacob did not die, Mark and Jacob were murdered."
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Grossman's main line of defence was to pin the blame on her ex-boyfriend, claiming he was racing his Mercedes next to hers after they had been sipping margaritas at a local Mexican eatery with a pal before the fatal crash. Post-dinner, it's alleged that Grossman and Erickson engaged in a high-speed race in their Mercedes SUVs towards her home, reportedly dodging through traffic and speeding. Her legal team contended that Ericksons black SUV was the one that initially struck the two boys.
They argued that while one boy remained on the road, the other was catapulted into the air, eventually landing on Grossman's vehicle. Yet, Deputy District Attorney Ryan Gould debunked this claim, labelling it "physically, mathematically impossible" and pointed out that all evidence indicated Grossman was at fault. Although not charged with DUI, former baseball star Royce Clayton testified, noting that he saw Erickson down two margaritas and Grossman one at a nearby diner, as per the Los Angeles Times.
Rebecca Grossman with her husband, Dr. Peter Grossman and daughter heads to Van Nuys Courthouse West Van Nuys, CA. (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)The prosecution brought forward data from Grossman's white Mercedes which showed she hit speeds up to 81 mph and braked to 73 mph just under two seconds before the crash that deployed her airbags, according to evidence. The district attorney's office praised the jury for their decision in a statement.
"This decision underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who drive with total disregard for human life," read the statement. "We understand that this guilty verdict can't bring back their lives but we hope it may offer some peace for the Iskander family as they continue their lifelong journey of healing from this tragedy.
Whilst the boys' mother was spared from witnessing the impact, three witnesses reported that a white or light-coloured car struck the youngsters. Dr. Peter Grossman, Rebecca Grossman's husband and the medical director of the Grossman Burn Centers which they jointly founded, was invited by his wife's defence team to take the stand in court.
Peter Grossman revealed that even though they were legally separated during the time of the incident, they remained under the same roof and saw other people. He also confirmed Rebecca was dating Erickson in 2020. Despite their shared history, however, he told lawyers during questioning that he could not recall any instance where Rebecca drove at excessive speeds, even though he'd been a passenger in her vehicle numerous times.