A woman who was convicted of killing two young brothers in a tragic hit-and-run accident is now fighting for her conviction to be overturned.
Rebecca Grossman, the wife of a well-known plastic surgeon, has demanded that California’s appellate court review her case.
Her defense team argues that the evidence used to convict her of murdering 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his 8-year-old brother Jacob was insufficient.
The Fatal Crash and Its Aftermath
In 2020, Grossman, 61, struck and killed the two boys while driving her Mercedes through a crosswalk in Westlake Village, California.
The boys were sent flying into the air after Grossman’s car, traveling at 81 mph in a 45 mph zone, plowed into them.
Despite the devastating impact, Grossman continued driving, not stopping until the car’s sensors detected damage and the engine shut off.
The tragic incident occurred after Grossman, who was racing her lover, former MLB pitcher Scott Erickson, struck the children while the two were engaged in a high-speed race after a boozy lunch.
Defense Argument Claims Lack of Murder Intent
Grossman’s lawyer, Lara Gressley, filed a motion with the appellate court, arguing that there was not enough evidence to convict her client of murder.
Gressley insisted that Grossman did not “willfully flee” the scene of the crash and that the incident did not rise to the level of murder.
She further contended that decisions in vehicular homicide cases should not be driven solely by the outcome of the deaths.
Attempts to Shift Blame to Scott Erickson
Grossman’s defense team has tried to cast doubt on her role in the crash, attempting to blame her former lover, Scott Erickson, for the tragedy.
The defense suggested that Erickson may have been the one behind the wheel, with his car striking one of the boys before Grossman’s vehicle hit the other.
Erickson, who was initially charged with reckless driving, had his charges dismissed after completing a public service announcement.
Both Grossman and Erickson were reportedly speeding at over 70 mph when the crash occurred, with Erickson’s car in front of Grossman’s.
The two had been enjoying margaritas earlier that day and had engaged in a race prior to the fatal incident.
Grossman’s Letters of Regret and Continued Denial
Throughout the proceedings, Grossman wrote letters to the Iskander family, pleading for their forgiveness.
In these letters, she discussed the difficult childhood she endured and expressed regret, even stating that she wished she had been killed in the accident instead of the boys.
Despite these letters, prosecutors have argued that Grossman’s actions show a lack of genuine remorse for the lives lost.
Legal Battles Continue and Family’s Pain Deepens
In June 2024, Grossman was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the deaths of the Iskander brothers, a sentence that fell far short of the 34 years to life the judge could have imposed.
This decision left the Iskander family devastated.
With Grossman now seeking to overturn her conviction, the family is once again forced to relive the pain of their loss.
Grossman’s legal team filed an appeal shortly after the sentencing, but her request for a new trial was denied.
In addition to her criminal case, the Iskander family also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Grossman and Erickson in 2021, which is still pending in court.
Civil Lawsuit Involves Grossman’s Husband and the Family Business
The wrongful death lawsuit has also named Grossman’s husband, Dr. Peter H. Grossman, who is a renowned plastic surgeon.
The lawsuit claims that he is responsible for the vehicle used in the crash, as he owns the white BMW involved in the incident and paid for the car’s insurance.
Dr. Grossman, who heads the Grossman Burn Centers, a chain of hospitals specializing in burn treatments, is also facing legal challenges due to the incident.
The Grossman family’s wealth and high-profile lifestyle have been under scrutiny throughout the case.
The family lives in a luxurious home in Hidden Hills, a gated community in California, which neighbors celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Lori Loughlin.
Rebecca Grossman’s Life of Privilege and Philanthropy
Before and during her trial, Rebecca Grossman was part of a privileged lifestyle.
She helped run the Grossman Burn Foundation, organizing high-profile events and galas to raise funds for burn victims.
However, her involvement in the foundation has now been overshadowed by her legal battles, and the Iskander family’s grief continues to weigh heavily as they await the next steps in this ongoing legal drama.