Wealthy Los Angeles socialite and philanthropist Rebecca Grossman - who’s accused of running over and killing two young brothers while allegedly racing in her Mercedes - finally showed up at court Wednesday after spending more than a year free on $2 million bail.
But while Judge Shellie Samuels had intended to set a date today for a preliminary hearing, she was unable to do so because Grossman’s lawyer, Richard Sutton, is seriously ill and unable to continue with the case.
This forced the judge to reluctantly postpone the case yet again to give Grossman, 58, time to find a new lawyer. Exclusive photos showed Grossman looking on the verge of tears during Wednesday's court appearance, which saw her don a black face mask because of COVID restrictions.
She was charged last year with two counts of murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death for a September 29, 2020 crash that killed brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander, 11 and 9, in Westlake Village, California.
The boys were walking with their family about 7:10 p.m. and crossing a three-way intersection with a marked crosswalk - but no stoplight - when their parents heard a speeding car approaching.
They reached out to protect their children, but could only grab their two other children Zackary and Violet. Mark and Jacob were too far away and were hit by the white Mercedes, police said.
Wealthy Los Angeles socialite and philanthropist Rebecca Grossman is accused of running over and killing two young brothers while speeding in her white Mercedes
The court case was delayed yet again Wednesday after Grossman revealed her lawyer had fallen too ill to represent her
One boy was allegedly carried 100ft on the hood of the car before Grossman braked, at which point he fell off the car and she ran him over again as she fled the scene.
Mark died at the scene and Jacob died in a hospital a few hours later.
More than 14 months after the crash, justice remains elusive for the boys' parents.
Judge Samuels apologized to the victims’ family - who were in court today in Van Nuys, west of Los Angeles- and who she said were enduring ’torture’ and ‘heartbreak’ while the case drags on.
Brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander, 11 and 9, were walking with their parents and siblings in Westlake Village, California, in September 2020 when they were struck and killed
The brothers are pictured in this undated school photos. One was declared dead at the scene while the other died in hospital
‘It’s been a year and two months since it happened,’ the judge said. ‘The victims’ family needs this case to go forward.
‘Two counts of murder will take a while to get to a preliminary hearing but not this long.’
Grossman - who showed up in court today in a gray check pant-suit, dark blue open-neck shirt and her blonde hair in a pony-tail - said ‘I understand,’ when the judge urged her to find a new attorney who will treat the case as a ‘priority’ and be prepared for a preliminary hearing ‘no later than March next year’.
Grossman was charged last year with two counts of murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death
The Mercedes that struck and killed two brothers. Investigators said street racing may have been involved in the crash, which happened at the intersection of Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive
Samuels scheduled a new hearing for January 7 and said ‘I want you and your new attorney here,’ as she admonished Grossman who arrived at court with her husband, prominent plastic surgeon Peter Grossman, in a gray suit and tie.
That January appearance will then give the new attorney two months to prepare for a preliminary hearing where prosecutors will present evidence that Samuels will decide is or isn’t compelling enough to order Grossman to stand trial.
To the victims’ family the judge
