Rebecca Grossman’s teenage daughter cried as she left court after her mother was sentenced to 15 years to life for killing two young brothers she hit with her car.
Alexis Grossman, 19, cried as she left the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse on Monday.
She was present during her mother’s trial in the murders of Mark, 11, and Jacob Iskander, 8.
Grossman fatally struck the siblings as she rear-ended a car driven by her then-lover Scott Erickson, a former pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, before fleeing the scene.
Alexis was in the packed courthouse to hear her sentence handed down, as Judge Joseph Brandolino condemned her mother’s “incredibly selfish behavior.”
Rebecca Grossman’s teenage daughter cried as she left court after her mother was sentenced to 15 years to life for killing two young brothers she hit with her car
Alexis Grossman, 19, cried as she left the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse on Monday
The teen left the proceedings hand-in-hand with her brother Nick and kept her gaze focused on the ground.
The siblings followed their father, Dr. Peter Grossman, who also stayed with his wife during the trial.
Devastated Alexis, wearing black trousers and a loose black shirt, cried as they left the emotional hearing.
Just before the judge handed down the sentence, Grossman addressed the Iskander family directly and was barely coherent because she was talking and crying so loudly.
The boys’ mother, Nancy, stood up and was about to leave the court when Grossman begged her to stay and said she wanted to talk to her.
She begged her, “Please don’t leave. I waited almost four years before contacting you.”
Nancy leaned back in her chair and laid her head down 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.
The teen left the proceedings hand-in-hand with her brother Nick, as she kept her gaze focused on the ground
The siblings followed their father, Dr. Peter Grossman, who also stayed with his wife during the trial
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
‘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!’
Struggling to catch her breath, Grossman continued, saying she did not flee the scene but instead stood by her car for 20 minutes and was in a “state of denial.”
‘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.’
After she spoke, Grossman laid her head on the table and continued to sob loudly.
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 of the many reasons why Grossman never immediately apologized.e 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.
Just before the judge handed down the sentence, Grossman addressed the Iskander family directly and was barely coherent because she was talking and crying so loudly.
Mark and Nancy Iskander leave the court after Grossman’s sentencing Monday
Erickson played for a year with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2005, after which he ended his career with the New York Yankees in 2006
However, prosecutors noted that she could be eligible for parole in six to seven years if she receives credit for good behavior.
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.
Her 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.”