cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/16402340
California socialite Rebecca Grossman sentenced to 15 to life for killing 2 kids in crosswalk
A wealthy California woman who co-founded a burn center foundation in the Los Angeles area was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison Monday for the hit-and-run killings of two children while they were in a crosswalk more than three years ago.
Rebecca Grossman was speeding when she struck and killed Mark Iskander, 11, and his brother Jacob, 8, while they were in a crosswalk in the Los Angeles-area city of Westlake Village on Sept. 29, 2020.
“The loss of these two innocent lives has devastated their family and our community. Ms. Grossman’s blatant disregard for human life is a stark reminder of the grave consequences of irresponsible behavior behind the wheel,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement.
A jury convicted Grossman in February on two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.
The key pieces of evidence that led to Rebecca Grossman’s conviction for killing Mark and Jacob Iskander were:
Eyewitness testimony that Grossman’s white Mercedes SUV struck the two boys in the crosswalk, including from Susan Manners who saw Grossman’s vehicle hit Mark, and Yasamin Eftekhari and Jake Sands who saw Grossman’s car hit Jacob.[3][4]
Data from Grossman’s vehicle showing she was driving at excessive speeds of up to 81 mph in a 45 mph zone, braking lightly just 1.5 seconds before impact at 73 mph.[1][3]
Physical evidence at the scene, including pieces of Grossman’s damaged Mercedes found near the crosswalk and the location of damage on the front of her vehicle consistent with striking the boys.[3][5]
Grossman’s disoriented state when approached by a sheriff’s deputy after the crash, with her airbag deployed, suggesting impairment.[1][5]
Testimony from Nancy Iskander, the boys’ mother, who witnessed the collision and was certain Grossman’s vehicle struck her sons despite Grossman’s denials.[1][5]
Testimony disputing the defense’s claim that another vehicle driven by Grossman’s ex-boyfriend Scott Erickson struck the boys first, with witnesses stating Erickson’s black SUV did not hit them.[3][5]
The cumulative eyewitness accounts, vehicle data, physical evidence, and Grossman’s behavior provided overwhelming proof that she recklessly caused the deaths while driving under the influence.[1][3][4][5]
Citations: [1] Trial of Rebecca Grossman, accused of killing two boys with her car … https://www.courthousenews.com/trial-of-rebecca-grossman-accused-of-killing-two-boys-with-her-car-comes-to-a-close/ [2] Rebecca Grossman trial: Evidence that led to conviction in deadly … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh3zX9XM7lM [3] Rebecca Grossman jury must decide level of malice, dueling claims … https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-02-23/la-me-rebecca-grossman-case-closing [4] Rebecca Grossman found guilty of murder : r/LosAngeles - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles/comments/1aygwjm/rebecca_grossman_found_guilty_of_murder/ [5] Rebecca Grossman trial: Breaking down the evidence that led to … https://www.foxla.com/news/rebecca-grossman-trial-evidence-conviction