Mark and Jacob Iskander: Outrage as 'Mercedes Killer' Rebecca Grossman is allowed to STAY ON BAIL
Los Angeles socialite Rebecca Grossman was accused of running over and killing two young brothers while drunk racing in her Mercedes in September 2020. The 58-year-old showed up in court on Wednesday, March 9, while people expressed outrage over her being on bail since two days after the crime she committed and the slow pace of the proceedings.
Mothers and homemakers were spotted wearing T-shirts with a picture of the young victims, Jacob, 9, and Mark Iskander, 11, as they protested outside the courtroom in Van Nuys on March 16. The boys' mother, Nancy Iskander was also seen wearing one of the T-shirts as she thanked the protesters for their support. Grossman is charged with murdering Jacob and Mark in Westlake Village. She faces two counts of vehicular manslaughter and a fifth felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death but remains free on a $2 million bail.
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Why is Rebecca Grossman's case DELAYED again? Socialite ran over Iskander kids in 2020
A small crowd has gathered at the Van Nuys courthouse where a hearing is set for Rebecca Grossman. (@ScottSteepleton video) #accornnewspaper pic.twitter.com/ksFIv019X7
— The Acorn (@acornnewspaper) March 9, 2022
Grossman arrived at court with her plastic surgeon husband, Dr Peter Grossman. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The outrage comes after the court proceedings kept getting delayed and Grossman's lack of attendance at several hearings. Despite the crimes she's accused of, she's been free on a $2 million bail since being charged two days after the tragedy. The protestors believe Grossman's wealth and connections have successfully managed to keep her out of jail.
Attorneys for Rebecca Grossman, accused of vehicular manslaughter in the deaths of brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander, filed a motion used when a defendant alleges an officer used excessive force or lied about the events surrounding an arrest. 📸@ScottSteepleton #acornnewspaper pic.twitter.com/f3SwFbBYn2
— The Acorn (@acornnewspaper) March 9, 2022
'Justice for Mark and Jacob Iskander' and 'Put Rebecca Grossman behind bars' are two Change.org petitions with 18,734 and 32,374 signatures, respectively. "Thousands of lives have been impacted by this tragedy - two, innocent and loving, young boys with their entire life ahead of them were taken away by the complete and intentional disregard for human life, gross negligence, and selfish actions of Grossman. All witnessed by the very eyes of the ones who love them most — their parents. Mark's and Jacob's family and community will continue to grieve this horrific and tragic loss for a lifetime. Justice must be served, regardless of Grossman's financial means, status, privilege, and connections," reads one petition.
(2/3) Grossman faces two counts of murder, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and one count of felony hit and run. She was NOT charged with DUI, despite @LHSLASD investigators saying she was under the influence at the time of the crash. pic.twitter.com/SlLiwtFiRt
— Mike Rogers (@MikeRogersTV) December 30, 2020
"We demand that Grossman is prosecuted and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law and that she face serious consequences for her actions that took away the lives of Mark and Jacob. Grossman's sentence must be proportionate to her crime in order to prevent future similar tragedies, and endangerment of other families and young children. We, the undersigned, want the Los Angeles District Attorney's office to know that we will actively and diligently seek justice for Mark and Jacob Iskander. Even as media coverage dwindles, we will be watching, waiting, and praying that Rebecca Grossman is prosecuted appropriately for her heinous crime," the petition concludes.
After delays , a #prelinary hearing is scheduled in the case where socialite #RebeccaGrossman is accused of racing a former #MLB pitcher before hitting two brothers in a #WestlakeVillage crosswalk. More @ABC7 at 4 and 5. pic.twitter.com/xdl9QqDLRV
— Sid Garcia (@abc7sid) March 9, 2022
58-year-old Julie Cohen, who is one of the protesters, told Daily Mail, "There have been too many delays already. Since the boys were killed a year and a half ago, Grossman has been free on bail, free to do whatever she wants, while the boys' parents are living a nightmare." Cohen, a neighbor of the Iskander family, added, "If Grossman didn't have money and connections, she would have been in custody all this time instead of free on bail. These continual delays are awful for the family. It's time she was put behind bars, where she belongs."
Meanwhile, at the hearing, Judge Shellie Samuels apologized to the victims' parents, Nancy and Karim Iskander, for the constant delay in the case. "This case has taken way too long. I do apologize for the delays." Judge Samuels previously rebuked Grossman for not showing up at her court appearances and said, "I have never seen Miss Grossman — she has not been to court once. We can't keep continuing this. This is a serious case. These victims lost two children. It's detrimental to them that this is taking so long. The family is suffering."
Rebecca Grossman was driving over 70 mph the night she hit 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander in a Westlake Village crosswalk, according to a civil suit filed by the boys’ parents. The Iskanders are seeking unknown punitive damages.https://t.co/LekLbeE2wj pic.twitter.com/hDJidwO5cU
— Thousand Oaks Acorn (@TOAcornNews) August 26, 2021
Police have claimed that Grossman was driving over the 45mph speed limit and may have been racing with her friend, World Series-winning pitcher Scott Erickson, when she ran over the boys and killed them. "We are full of hope in... just God we serve and the justice system," the boys' mother Nancy told the media. "How was it sitting in there and then learning you have a preliminary hearing to get things moving?" asked ABC7 reporter Sid Garcia. "Very thankful. Thankful to the judge," she replied.
In a statement released, Grossman's attorney said, "Rebecca Grossman has entered a not guilty plea in this case, and the government has yet to present any evidence in court. We urge the public to keep an open mind and wait for evidence to be presented before drawing any conclusions. She has never been in criminal trouble before, nor has she ever been arrested before. She is presumed innocent until the government proves this case beyond a reasonable doubt. We expect that the evidence in court will show there is insufficient justification for murder charges in this case. In fact, the court record will show Mrs. Grossman did not intend to hurt anyone, she did not flee from the accident, and she fully cooperated with the police." The preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 25.
2/2 "She has never been in criminal trouble before, nor has she ever been arrested before. She is presumed innocent until the government proves this case beyond a reasonable doubt. "
— Kyle Jorrey (@KyleBJorrey) March 9, 2022
Unsure what this has to do with material facts of the case. pic.twitter.com/W7lCxDXt5m
— Kyle Jorrey (@KyleBJorrey) March 9, 2022