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A request by convicted socialite Rebecca Grossman for a change of trial location in a wrongful death lawsuit against her has been declined.
The lawsuit, filed by the parents of two young boys who were tragically killed when Grossman, allegedly intoxicated, struck them with her vehicle, also names her former MLB star companion, Scott Erickson, as a defendant.
Grossman’s legal team argued that the widespread negative media coverage surrounding the incident and subsequent legal actions would prejudice the local jury pool, thus compromising her chances of a fair trial.
Judge Huey Cotton acknowledged the negative portrayal Grossman has received on social media and in the press. However, he sided with the Iskander family’s lawyers, noting that the majority of media reports were fact-based rather than emotionally charged.
Additionally, the judge dismissed claims by Grossman’s attorneys that a single prior deposition of her husband, Dr. Peter Grossman, sufficed for the case.
He also allowed for the deposition of her daughter, Alexis Grossman. Although Alexis, who was only six at the time of the accident, is said to be dealing with PTSD, the court found it necessary for her testimony to proceed.
The judge countered that Alexis, now 21, was able to testify on her mother’s behalf at the criminal trial, and she was one of the first people on the scene after the crash.
The judge ruled the disability does not disqualify her from appearing at the deposition. The judge also ruled husband Peter Grossman may have relevant information.
Peter Grossman is a defendant in the suit on grounds he allegedly granted permissive use to his wife to drive the vehicle used in the accident.
Included in the deposition motion is a request by the Iskanders to question Peter Grossman, a renowned plastic surgeon, about the transferred title to the couple’s sprawling hilltop mansion to a mystery trust and lawyer.
It’s now on sale for $13.5 million, according to court documents.
Just after 7 pm, on a September evening, Jacob and Mark Iskander, their siblings, and their parents go for an evening stroll to a nearby lake. The 6-member family is crossing in a crosswalk at a three-way intersection when mother Nancy hears a speeding car barreling their way.
The mom says her husband and daughter were farther away from the street. She tries to signal to the two SUVs to slow down. She tries to pull the children back, only managing to grab 1 of them and dive out of the way.
Jacob and Mark are hit. Mark Iskander dies at the scene. Jacob dies later at the hospital. According to police, Mark was thrown 254 feet.
Nancy Iskander tells police that two SUVs were “zig-zagging with each other as if they were playing or racing.” She says the drivers didn’t stop at the intersection, not even when the 11-year-old was on the hood of the car.
Deputies reportedly catch up with a white Mercedes with significant front-end damage a third of a mile from the scene.
Behind the wheel is Rebecca Grossman.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says they believe that the vehicle was traveling over 80 miles an hour. Grossman’s breathalyzer test after the crash showed a blood-alcohol content of 0.076%, according to local news reports.
The legal limit in California is 0.08%. A blood sample taken three hours after the crash registered at the 0.08% mark.
Rebecca Grossman was charged and convicted of two felony counts each of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.
Grossman was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving 24-Hour Victim Help Line: 877.MADD.HELP or 1-877-623-3435
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[Feature Photo: Jacob and Mark Iskander/Handout]