Rebecca Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, is facing a potential maximum sentence of 34 years to life in prison for the 2020 car crash that resulted in the deaths of two children, Mark and Jacob Iskander. Grossman's sentencing is scheduled for Monday, as reported by Fox LA. The incident occurred in Westlake Village when Grossman struck the two brothers with her white Mercedes-Benz SUV as they were crossing the street.
Prosecutors have painted a picture of Grossman as unremorseful and entitled, citing a past filled with Vehicle Code violations and a lack of accountability post-crash. In contrast, the defense highlights Grossman's philanthropic work and her own suffering as reasons for leniency. In an emotional letter to the judge, Grossman wrote, "I am not a murderer, and I ask you to recognize that true fact," as NBC Los Angeles conveyed. She maintains that the events of the night were a tragic accident, emphasizing she was not driving under the influence or racing.
The prosecution's insistence on a severe sentence is rooted in evidence suggesting Grossman was driving at excessive speeds, with both alcohol and valium in her system at the time of the collision, according to data shared during the trial. Deputy District Attorneys Ryan Gould, Jamie Castro, and Habib Balian crafted a memorandum addressing their position, as reported by CBS News Los Angeles. They hold Grossman accountable for not only the crash but also for a failure to offer aid and a refusal to accept responsibility.
The defense, on the other hand, is requesting a more lenient sentencing of probation or a lower term of just over 12 years, contending that life imprisonment is reserved for more intentional or heinous acts. Grossman's attorney, James Spertus, expressed the hope that the court would acknowledge the circumstances and recognize Grossman as a mother and human being, as told by the client's attorney to CBS News Los Angeles. In recent developments, the judge denied a motion for a new trial last Monday.
Nancy Iskander, the mother of the boys, expressed the immense emotional toll the trial has taken, likening her courtroom appearances to attending her sons' funerals each day. Despite the outcome and Grossman's imprisonment, Iskander mentioned to reporters outside the courthouse that she held no hatred for Grossman, seeking closure from this painful chapter. This sentiment was shared by NBC Los Angeles following the jury's verdict back in February.
