The Los Angeles socialite accused of killing two young brothers in a drunken hit-and-run was seen walking into court arm-in-arm with her husband – shortly after she was arrested at the time of the fatal crash. It was revealed that he was competing with his alleged lover.
Rebecca Grossman and her husband Peter Grossman, an orthopedic surgeon, were photographed leaving the Van Nuys West Courthouse Wednesday for the start of jury selection in her murder trial.
The former magazine publisher faces up to 34 years in prison for two counts of second-degree murder in the 2020 killings of Jacob Iskander, 8, and Mark Iskander, 11. .
Rebecca, 60, looked nervous as she clutched her husband's arm, wearing a modest gray sweater, white button-down shirt, black slacks and a quilted bag.
The husband, a surgeon, chose a blue tailored suit with a black turtleneck underneath, blocking half of his wife's body from photographers as he left the first day of jury selection, appearing calm as he led a silent show of support. Ta.
The socialite was said to have been speeding up to 131 mph while racing with her boyfriend, former MLB player Scott Erickson, who was in another car at the time of the fatal crash. Los Angeles Times It was reported on Tuesday.
Investigators allege that on September 29, 2020, Rebecca plowed into two boys who were walking in a crosswalk in Westlake Village, sending their marks flying more than 80 feet.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the boys' mother, Nancy Iskander, and their 5-year-old brother, Zachary, also nearly crashed, but managed to jump to safety.
Rebecca is said to have been following former New York Mets and Yankees pitcher Erickson shortly before the crash. The pair, who were reportedly in a relationship, were said to have been drinking at a nearby restaurant before the accident.
A recent ruling by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino will allow the court to prove to jurors that the surgeon's wife was in a romantic relationship with Erickson at the time of the accident.
Rebecca, who caused the 0.076% crash, insists she didn't hit the boys, but the boys' grieving mother says her and Erickson's car was involved in an accident, according to the Los Angeles Times. He said he had been driving at “extraordinary” speeds before.
“They were zigzagging around each other, as if they were playing or racing,” she told the outlet.
Mark died at the scene, and Jacob passed away a few hours later in hospital.
“They didn't stop at the intersection. They didn't stop when the 11-year-old was on the bonnet of the car. Nobody stopped,” said Nancy, who will appear in court today with her husband Karim.
Prosecutors also plan to present evidence that Rebecca had Valium in her system at the time of the accident, which would further prohibit her from driving.
Erickson was charged with a misdemeanor, and the case was resolved in February 2022. Erickson's lawyer was adamant that he was not involved in the hit-and-run.
The socialite is also charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter by gross negligence and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.
Rebecca is currently free on $2 million bail and could face 34 years in prison if convicted.
