REBECCA GROSSMAN: GUILTY OF MURDER
Socialite Rebecca Grossman Found Guilty
Socialite Rebecca Grossman Found Guilty in Crash That Killed Two Young Brothers
By SNN.BZ STAFF
Los Angeles, California — A Los Angeles County jury delivered a verdict on Friday, finding Rebecca Grossman, a prominent socialite and co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, guilty in a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two young brothers. The heartbreaking crash occurred in Van Nuys, California, and left the community in shock.
The Incident
On a fateful day in September 2020, 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his 8-year-old brother, Jacob, were walking in a crosswalk near a Westlake Village intersection. It was then that Rebecca Grossman’s white Mercedes-Benz SUV struck the two boys. Instead of stopping to render aid, Grossman fled the scene, leaving the injured children behind.
The Legal Proceedings
The trial revealed damning evidence against Grossman. Prosecutors presented debris found at the crash site, which matched her vehicle. Data from her car’s onboard system indicated that she was driving at an excessive speed of about 73 mph—almost twice the legal limit—just seconds before the collision. Furthermore, a sobriety test conducted after the crash revealed that Grossman was legally drunk, with a blood-alcohol content level of 0.08%.
Defense Tactics
During the trial, Grossman’s defense team attempted to shift blame onto her then-boyfriend, former LA Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson. They claimed that Erickson’s black Mercedes-Benz SUV had struck the boys first. However, the prosecution dismantled this theory, calling it “ridiculous” and presenting “not a shred of evidence” to support it.
Verdict and Sentencing
The jury found Rebecca Grossman guilty on all counts:
- Two counts of murder: Grossman’s reckless actions resulted in the tragic deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander.
- Two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence: Her speeding and impaired driving directly caused the fatal collision.
- One felony count of hit and run resulting in death: Grossman fled the scene, leaving the injured boys without assistance.
She now faces a potential sentence of 34 years to life in state prison. The verdict brought some closure to the grieving family, but their pain remains immeasurable.
Family’s Response
“We’ve been waiting for this for 3.5 years,” said the boys’ mother, Nancy Iskander, after the verdict was read. “We are also super thankful for our prosecution. They worked tirelessly—3.5 years. They went above and beyond… They only cared about the truth.”
The boys’ father, Karim Iskander, expressed relief: “We can finally move on. We have been waiting for closure. Honestly, we have been waiting for Mrs. Grossman to apologize; to take responsibility.”
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving. The community mourns the loss of Mark and Jacob Iskander, while justice has been served for their grieving family.
Note: The trial took place in the Van Nuys Courthouse, where emotions ran high as the verdict was delivered.
