The California mother of two boys whose wealthy and powerful socialite was killed when a Mercedes sped through a crosswalk has vowed to confront the convicted killer in prison in hopes that one day she will show remorse after serving what critics call a light sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
“My plan is to visit her in prison in a few months or a year and ask her that question in person,” said Nancy Iskander, mother of Jacob, 8, and Mark, 11. “Can you say, ‘I’m sorry I killed them?’ That will help me forgive her, because she needs to get over what she did.”
Iskander was forced to jump to safety with her youngest son, Zachary, who was 5 at the time, when Rebecca Grossman, 60, co-founder of a prominent burn center and a wealthy Los Angeles philanthropist, came running toward them at more than 80 miles per hour.
Los Angeles socialite Rebecca Grossman sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for crash that killed two teenagers
Mark and Jacob Iskander were killed when Rebecca Grossman was speeding through a crosswalk in 2020 as she was rushing home from a booze-filled date. (Nancy and Karim Iskander)
The mother and her surviving son watched in horror as Grossman slammed into Mark and Jacob at an estimated speed of 81 mph, then fled the scene.
Grossman, described by prosecutors as a “totally selfish” narcissist, was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of an accident in the Sept. 29, 2020, crash, but the case featured a number of dramatic curveballs.
“She has lived a life of privilege and clearly believed her wealth and fame could buy her freedom,” prosecutors wrote to the court, seeking a maximum sentence of 34 years to life in prison.
Prosecutors said she refused to take responsibility for the deaths even after she was convicted, but jurors found the incidents to be murders rather than “tragic accidents.”
On Friday, Judge Joseph Brandolino sentenced her to two concurrent terms of 15 years to life in prison, plus an additional three years for fleeing the scene. California legal experts told Fox News Digital that she could be eligible for parole in just eight years.
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Rebecca Grossman, left, and her daughter walk into the Van Nuys Courthouse in West Van Nuys, California. (Irrfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
In Iskander’s view, one glaring problem with the sentence is that Grossman’s sentences were not consecutive, which she said trivialized the murders of two boys as if they were one murder and completely negated Grossman’s attempt to avoid justice by fleeing the scene.
“I don’t think I can ever accept that or even understand the judge’s position,” she told Fox News Digital.
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Karim Iskander (right) and his wife, Nancy, arrive at the sentencing of Rebecca Grossman on June 10, 2024, in Van Nuys, California. (Brian van der Burg/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The concurrent sentences were unusually light for a suspect who prosecutors said showed no remorse, said Garrett Dameron, who oversaw the Los Angeles district attorney’s office’s prosecutor on the case.
In contrast, in neighboring Ventura County, a man was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for crashing head-on while high on his motorcycle, killing a woman and her granddaughter who were riding with him.
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A sign outside the Van Nuys courthouse features photos of Mark Iskander, 11, left, and his brother, Jacob, 8. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“She basically has no respect for the way our justice system works and he basically gave her the lightest sentence,” Dameron told Fox News Digital. “It’s very disturbing.”
While in prison, Grossman was accused of conspiring to commit jury tampering and violating court orders multiple times, including by releasing sealed evidence and trying to contact witnesses, prosecutors said.
“The defendant’s conduct from Sept. 29, 2020 through today, demonstrated a complete lack of remorse and was filled with a narcissistic sense of superiority, leading one to the only conclusion that he does not deserve any lenient punishment,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo.
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Jacob Iskander (Nancy and Karim Iskander)
Iskander said Grossman anonymously donated $25,000 to help cover her sons’ funeral expenses, a move his mother claims violated her right to refuse donations from a killer.
“She basically tried to run with the money,” Dameron said. “She never once showed the slightest bit of remorse or sympathy or any intention to take responsibility. And my issue with the judge is that throughout the trial she made comments saying she didn’t like the murder charge in this case. Instead of being objective, [the] I think he is trying to legislate as a judge when he should be ruling.”
Grossman’s lawyer, James Spertus, said the judge gave a thoughtful and detailed explanation of the sentence, adding that while Grossman has a reputation for his humanitarian work for decades, this is his first criminal offense.
“This case involved a tragic accident that caused immeasurable loss to the Iskander family, so they are understandably disappointed with any sentence other than the death penalty,” he told Fox News Digital, “but I expected more maturity and professionalism from the prosecution.”
Nancy Iskander and her three sons, Mark, Jacob and Zachary (Nancy and Karim Iskander)
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Grossman was speeding, had alcohol and drugs in her system and drove her car into the boys as they crossed the street with their mother and brother. She had numerous traffic tickets dating back to at least 2000, according to court documents.
She then tormented her family for years with legal maneuvering and alleged attempts to manipulate witnesses and jurors, Iskander said.
She explained that she had constant flashbacks to seeing Mark and Jacob in the road on the day of the crime.
“I experience it every minute of every day,” she said. “How can he ignore something like that?”
Nancy Iskander and her husband, Karim, outside a courthouse in Van Nuys, California. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
In response to this horrific incident, the boys’ parents and brother have committed themselves to helping others, setting up a charitable foundation in memory of Mark and Jacob and launching a soon-to-be licensed foster care project in Los Angeles.
Iskander said Zachary, now 8, is preparing for his first overseas deployment to help build a house in memory of his brothers.
“I always wanted him to wait until they were teenagers, but he wants to do something to honor his brother,” she said.
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She wants to raise funds Marc & Jacob Foundation Events on October 20th and Future Events Mark & Jacob Foster Care Ministry.
Iskander said she also plans to help other parents suffering the trauma of losing a child.
“My message to everyone listening is that even when tragedy strikes and your heart is broken, keep the faith,” she said.
