California Socialite Rebecca Grossman Gets 15 Years to Life for Killing Young Brothers in High-Speed Crash
In a recent court ruling, California socialite and philanthropist Rebecca Grossman was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the hit-and-run deaths of two young brothers in Westlake Village.
Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, was convicted in February on multiple counts, including second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and hit-and-run driving resulting in death.
The tragic incident occurred on the evening of September 29, 2020, when Grossman, driving a white Mercedes-Benz SUV, struck and killed Mark Iskander, 11, and Jacob Iskander, 8, while they were crossing the street in a marked crosswalk with their family.
Prosecutors argued that she was driving at excessive speeds, between 73 and 81 mph in a 45 mph zone, and failed to stop or return to the scene after the collision.
During the sentencing hearing, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino rejected the prosecution’s request for a 34-year to life sentence, citing Grossman’s lack of a prior criminal record and her philanthropic work.
However, he condemned her actions as “incredibly selfish” and acknowledged the devastating impact on the victims’ family and the community.
“The loss of these two innocent lives is an unimaginable tragedy,” Judge Brandolino stated, noting that while Grossman’s behavior was reprehensible, he did not view her as the monster portrayed by the prosecution.
The boys’ mother, Nancy Iskander, delivered a poignant victim impact statement, expressing her profound grief and accusing Grossman of showing no genuine remorse.
“You looked me in the eye,” Iskander exclaimed, recalling a moment she claimed to have seen Grossman outside the emergency room on the night of the accident. “You knew they were dying.”
Throughout the trial and sentencing, Grossman maintained her innocence regarding intent, stating that she did not see the boys in the crosswalk.
In a letter to the judge, she wrote, “I am not a murderer. As God is my witness, I did not see anyone or anything in the road. I swear to you, I would have driven my car into a tree to avoid hitting two little boys.”
She reiterated her remorse during the hearing, saying, “I am deeply sorry for the loss of Mark and Jacob. This tragedy haunts me every day.”
Despite her claims of innocence, Deputy District Attorneys Ryan Gould, Jamie Castro, and Habib Balian argued that her actions demonstrated a “narcissistic superiority” and a complete lack of responsibility.
They noted that Grossman attempted to shift blame onto the victims, their mother, and her ex-boyfriend, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson, who was driving ahead of her but was not charged in connection with the incident.
The defense, led by attorneys James Spertus and Samuel Josephs, contended that the crash was a tragic accident and that Grossman should not receive a life sentence. They highlighted her history of philanthropy and personal struggles, arguing for a more lenient sentence that would allow her to continue her charitable work.
However, the prosecution underscored Grossman’s reckless driving history and the presence of alcohol and Valium in her system at the time of the crash, asserting that her wealth and notoriety should not shield her from accountability.
“This was not a tragic accident as the defense states; this was murder,” they stated firmly in their sentencing memorandum.