The mother of two boys killed in California by a wealthy and powerful socialite driving too fast through a crosswalk in a Mercedes has promised to talk to the murderer in prison in the hopes that she will one-day show regret after getting what some people call a light sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
Nancy Iskander, mother of 8-year-old Jacob and 11-year-old Mark, said, “I plan to visit her in prison in a few months or maybe a year, and I will ask her that question directly.” “I’ll ask, ‘Are you ready to say, ‘I’m sorry I killed them?'” I need to get over what she did, so this will help me forgive her.”
Rebecca Grossman, a rich Los Angeles philanthropist who is 60 years old and co-founder of a well-known burn center, sped toward Iskander and her 5-year-old son Zachary and forced them to dive to safety.
Grossman hit Mark and Jacob at about 81 miles per hour, and the mother and son who were still alive saw it happen in fear. After that, she ran away from the scene.
Grossman was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident for the crash on September 29, 2020. Prosecutors called him a “completely self-serving” narcissist. The case had a lot of unexpected turns.
As prosecutors wrote to the court, “She has lived a life of privilege and clearly felt that her wealth and fame would buy her freedom.” They were asking for the harshest sentence possible, 34 years to life in jail.
Police say she refused to take responsibility for the deaths, even after she was found guilty. The jury decided the deaths were murders, not a “tragic accident.”
Friday, Judge Joseph Brandolino gave her two sentences that will run at the same time: 15 years to life in jail for two crimes and three years for fleeing the scene of the crime. Fox News Digital talks to lawyers in California who say she might be able to get released in just eight years.
Iskander thinks that one big problem with the punishment is that Grossman’s sentences did not run consecutively. The mother says that this makes the murders of two boys seem like the murder of one person and erases Grossman’s attempt to flee the scene of the crime and avoid justice.
She told Fox News Digital, “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to accept that… or even understand the judge’s point of view.”
A suspect who prosecutors said showed no remorse was given two concurrent sentences. Garrett Dameron, a supervisor in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office who oversaw the line prosecutors working on the case, said this was a relatively light sentence.
A man in nearby Ventura County, on the other hand, was given 30 years to life in jail for killing a woman and her granddaughter while riding a motorcycle together. He hit them head-on while driving high.
“She showed no regard for the way our justice system works, and he rewards her with basically the lightest sentence he can give her,” Dameron told Fox News. “It’s deeply offensive.”
Grossman was accused of trying to tamper with a juror and frequently breaking court orders while he was in jail. The prosecutors say she also tried to get witnesses and sealed documents made public.
“The defendant’s actions from September 29, 2020, through today show a complete lack of remorse and narcissistic superiority that leads to only one conclusion, that she is undeserving of any leniency,” prosecutors said in a sentencing memo.
Iskander said Grossman even gave $25,000 to the boys’ funeral costs without their knowledge. The mother says this goes against her right to refuse the killer’s money.
“She essentially attempted to buy her way out of this,” he said. “She has never once shown any penance or sympathy, and she has never even hinted at taking responsibility for what she did.” Another thing I don’t like about the judge is that he said during the hearing that he didn’t like the murder charges. I think he’s trying to make rules from the bench instead of stating the sentence clearly as he should have.
James Spertus, Grossman’s lawyer, said that the judge gave a thoughtful and detailed reason for the sentence. He also said that Grossman is a first-time offender who had a reputation for doing good things for people for decades.
“This case involves a tragic accident that resulted in an incalculable loss to the Iskanders, so, understandably, they would be disappointed in any sentence short of the death penalty,” he told Fox News. “However, I expected more maturity and professionalism from the prosecutors.”
Grossman was going too fast and was high on drugs and booze when she hit the boys as they crossed the street with their mother and younger brother. Court records show that she had a history of driving tickets dating back to at least 2000.
Iskander then says that she caused her family a lot of pain for years by playing with the law and allegedly trying to influence witnesses and the judges.
She said that she keeps thinking about the day of the crime and seeing Mark and Jacob on the road.
“I keep living it every day, every minute of every day,” she stated. “How can he just ignore something like that?”
After what happened, the boys’ parents and younger brother have dedicated themselves to helping others. They have started a charity in honor of Mark and Jacob and a foster care project that will soon be approved in Los Angeles.
Iskander said that Zachary, who is now eight years old, is getting ready to go on his first trip abroad to help build houses in honor of his brothers.
“I had always wanted them to wait until their teen years, but he wants to do something to honor his brothers,” she shared.
At an event on Oct. 20, she wants to raise money for The Mark & Jacob Foundation and the new Mark & Jacob Foster Care Ministry.
Iskander also said she would be happy to help other parents who have lost their children and are going through a hard time.
“I just want to say to anyone listening, if they have a tragedy, if they are broken, to keep their faith,” she added.
