A mother whose two young sons were beaten and killed by Rebecca Grossman says the socialite’s punishment is a disgusting “stab in the heart.”
Grossman fatally struck Mark Iskander, 11, and brother Jacob, 8, while speeding. The pair were on a family walk in their Los Angeles County neighborhood when the fatal accident occurred on the evening of September 29, 2020.
A jury in February found her guilty of two felony counts each of first-degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter, and one misdemeanor count of hit-and-run resulting in death.
Grossman received two concurrent sentences of 15 years to life in prison on Monday, plus three years for fleeing the scene of the fatal crash, which would run concurrently with the two other sentences.
But the boys’ mother, Nancy Iskander, has now rejected the sentences, claiming the judge treated their deaths as “one child” despite “two different lives” being lost.
Nancy Iskander, whose two young sons were beaten and killed by Rebecca Grossman, says the socialite’s punishment is a disgusting “stab in the heart.” Iskander is pictured outside the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse on June 10, 2024, prior to Grossman’s sentencing
Rebecca fatally struck Mark Iskander, 11, and brother Jacob, 8, in September 2020 while speeding. A judge on Monday gave Grossman two concurrent prison sentences of 15 years to life, plus three years for fleeing the scene of the fatal accident that allegedly occurred. run simultaneously with the two other sentences
Iskander believes Grossman’s sentences should have been consecutive.
“I think it was a stab in my heart that he thought of these two sweet boys as one child,” she said The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday. ‘These are two different lives. These are two guys, and they’re not going two against one.”
More than a dozen of the Iskander’s loved ones appeared in court, detailing the pain caused by Mark and Jacob’s deaths and asking that Grossman serve a lengthy sentence.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the data recorder in Grossman’s white Mercedes showed she was traveling at up to 80 mph (130 km/h) and hit the brakes, slowing her down to 75 mph (120 km/h), less than two seconds before the crash.
After fatally striking the siblings, who had been standing in a crosswalk, Grossman fled the scene.
Before the judge handed down her sentence, Grossman told the court she did not flee the scene and instead stood by her car for 20 minutes and was in a “state of denial.”
Prosecutors have repeatedly said the socialite has shown no remorse for her crimes Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino called Grossman’s actions during the sentencing “reckless and undoubtedly negligent.”
Iskander told the Times: “There’s no such thing as killing them a little bit. She killed them.”
The Iskander boys, Mark and Jacob, 11 and 8, died at the scene of the accident after Grossman’s Mercedes struck them at high speed
Nancy Iskander broke down in tears during her testimony at Grossman’s trial in January 2024
Just before she was sentenced, Grossman addressed the Iskander family directly on Monday. She was talking and crying so loudly that she was barely coherent.
The boys’ mother stood up and was about to leave the court when Grossman begged her to stay and said she wanted to talk to her.
Grossman said, “Please don’t leave. I waited almost four years before contacting you.”
Iskander leaned back in her chair and laid her head in front of her as Grossman continued to speak directly to the grieving mother.
Grossman continued, “All I’ve ever wanted to do is tell you how sorry I am. And I wrote. I don’t know if the prosecutor ever gave them to you. … They said I would tamper with witnesses if I contacted you. …I’m so sorry I couldn’t because I was threatened by the prosecutor.
‘I just wanted to be human. When I could no longer be human and talk to you, parent to parent, mother to mother… I wanted to leave this world because I didn’t want to be here anymore and you have to believe me. And I believe that God is in this room now, and I believe that He knows the truth.
“He knows that if I had seen anyone, I would have thrown myself against the wall. I wanted God to take my life. I don’t know why God didn’t take my life.
‘I wish He would take my life. And if I could give my life right now and say to God, “Can you please bring Mark and Jacob back,” I would tell God to take my life. I’m so sorry!’
Mark and Nancy Iskander leave the court after Grossman’s sentencing Monday
Grossman struggled to catch her breath and added that she did not flee the scene.
‘I just had a break from reality and everything was moving in slow motion. My pain is nothing compared to your pain. Not a faction yet. That’s why I wish I could do something,” she said.
After she spoke, Grossman laid her head on the table and continued to sob loudly.
The boys’ father, Karim Iskander, listened to Grossman but did not look directly at her. He caressed his wife’s back as she continued to sob softly into her hands.
The sentencing came after months of moving testimony, including from Jacob’s best friend Bodie Wallace, who told the court that the song “10,000 Reasons” now upsets him as he thinks about the many reasons why Grossman never immediately apologized. LA times reports.
When Grossman heard his comments, he lost control again and fell forward in her chair, sobbing.
Because she showed no remorse for her actions, prosecutors had asked for a maximum sentence of two fifteen-year to life sentences, one for each young boy.
However, prosecutors noted that she could be eligible for parole in six to seven years if she receives credit for good behavior.
Pictured is the grave of Mark and Jacob Iskander. Rebecca Grossman fatally struck the siblings while speeding in September 2020
Grossman’s attorney, Samuel Josephs, asked the judge to consider leniency, arguing that the charges are at the “low end” of malice cases.
“This was an absolutely tragic accident,” Josephs said. “What Ms. Grossman did at the scene is consistent with someone in complete shock.”
Josephs also added that it was actually the prosecutor who told his client not to contact the family, and that the prosecutor was now trying to “weaponize” this.
He said the prosecution and the media have unfairly portrayed Grossman as a socialite and highlighted her work in the community and with female burn victims.
Grossman’s son Nick also begged the court for leniency, telling the judge, “My mother is not the bad person the media has portrayed.”
“Nothing compares to what the Iskanders are going through, but since the accident it feels like the world hates my mother and everyone is against our family.”