Rebecca Grossman was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the hit-and-run deaths of two young children that occurred in September 2020. The tragic incident took place in Westlake Village, California, when Grossman struck and killed two brothers, aged nine and eleven, while they were crossing the street with their family.
Grossman was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter. The judge cited her reckless behavior and lack of remorse as aggravating factors in the sentencing decision. Grossman had a history of speeding violations and was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
Prosecutors had asked Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino to sentence Grossman to 34 years to life in state prison, writing in a sentencing memorandum that she is "more than deserving" of the maximum term for the Sept. 29, 2020, deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander, aged 11 and 8.
Meanwhile, defense attorneys urged a sentence of either probation or a lower state prison term of just over 12 years on the less serious vehicular manslaughter charges.
Los Angeles jury in February found Rebecca Grossman guilty on all counts: Two felony counts each of second-degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter, and one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.
Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino sentenced her to two concurrent 15-years-to-life sentences, plus three years for fleeing the scene of the fatal crash that would run concurrently with the two other sentences, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Scott Erickson, a former professional baseball player. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Grossman was under the influence of alcohol and valium, and was racing with Erickson, the two SUV's recklessly weaving in and out of lanes.
Grossman was driving behind Scott Erickson, a former Dodgers player, who earlier in the day had been drinking cocktails with her at a nearby restaurant. She was driving as fast as 81 mph and traveled another half-mile after slamming into the children, according to evidence presented at trial.
Jurors deliberated for about nine hours before rejecting her lead trial attorney Tony Buzbee's contention that Erickson, who was driving a black Mercedes-Benz SUV just ahead of Grossman's vehicle, struck the boys first.
The victims' mother, Nancy Iskander, was in tears after the first guilty verdict was announced in February. Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse shortly after the verdict, she said she bears no hatred for Grossman and said it was heartbreaking to see the defendant taken away in handcuffs.
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