Crime Stories with Nancy Grace DEATH BY MERCEDES: $$$ Socialite Mows Down Brothers, Denied Venue Change in Civil Trial, Accused of Hiding Assets
Convicted socialite Rebecca Grossman's demand for a venue change in a wrongful death suit trial filed against her has been denied.
The parents of two young boys killed when a drunk Grossman plowed into them are civilly suing Grossman and her former MLB star lover Scott Erickson for wrongful death. Grossman’s civil lawyers argued extensive negative publicity surrounding the accident and legal proceedings would bias local jurors, making a fair trial impossible.
Judge Huey Cotton acknowledged that Grossman has been portrayed unfavorably on social media and drew attention from the press, but he agreed with the Iskanders’ attorneys that the news coverage mostly reported the facts rather than expressing outrage.”
In another ruling, the judge rejected arguments by Grossman’s attorneys that the one previous deposition taken of the philanthropist’s husband, Dr. Peter Grossman, was enough.
He also paved the way for his daughter, Alexis Grossman, to be deposed. Alexis was 6 at the time of the crash, and attorneys claimed the deposition would further traumatize the young woman already suffering from PTSD.
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.
Joining Nancy Grace today:
- Mark Klaas - Founder, Klaas Kids Foundation
- Kathleen Murphy - North Carolina, Family Attorney
- Dr. Angela Arnold - Atlanta Psychiatrist. Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University, Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital
- Sheryl McCollum - Forensic Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder, Former Director of MADD, Georgia
- Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author of "Blood Beneath My Feet," and Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;" X @JoScottForensic
- Ray Caputo - Lead News Anchor for Orlando's Morning News, 96.5 WDBO
TIPLINE: Mothers Against Drunk Driving 24-Hour Victim Help Line: 877.MADD.HELP or 1-877-623-3435
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