Less than three months after the jury reached a guilty verdict, there is another twist in the Rebecca Grossman case.
The Los Angeles socialite was convicted of second-degree murder in the hit-and-run deaths of Jacob Iskander, 8, and Mark Iskander, 11, who were struck and killed in a crosswalk in Westlake Village in 2020.
But just weeks before Grossman’s June 10 sentencing date, the L.A. County District Attorney is reassigning the prosecutors who helped get the guilty verdict, a move that comes after Grossman hired a new defense attorney, James Spertus.
The move could result in a delay in Grossman’s sentencing.
Jacob and Mark’s father, Karim, and mother, Nancy, believe Grossman intentionally hired Spertus knowing there would be a conflict of interest. Spertus also represents someone from the DA’s office, Diana Teran, who was charged with 11 felonies for allegedly misusing confidential law enforcement records.
Because of this, the DA reassigned the prosecutors from the case due to a potential conflict of interest.
“There is clear attempt by Ms. Grossman to not just create a conflict of interest,” Karim said to KTLA 5’s Rachel Menitoff. “But to influence the justice system in her favor.”
A statement from the DA’s office says the original prosecutors will remain involved in the case but will take a secondary role moving forward.
Nancy says she and her husband have dealt with the unimaginable pain of losing two children, and this move by Grossman prolongs their suffering.
“By the system allowing Ms. Grossman to play these games and keep bringing us back, to the healing and the road to hope and healing,” she said. “It’s just very disappointing and sad.”
The DA says by “re-assigning the matter to the Major Crimes Division’s chain of command and keeping the original trial attorneys, any potential internal conflict is resolved while ensuring that some of the most capable and experienced prosecutors in the office are responsible for the case.”
Spertus spoke with KTLA, saying he does not feel as if there is a conflict of interest, as there is no overlap between the two cases. The defense lawyer adds he was hired by Grossman even before Teran was charged.
Nancy and Karim are trying to stay focused on keeping the memory of Jacob and Mark alive.
Even amidst their grief, the Iskanders started a nonprofit foster agency, an orphanage in Egypt, and school scholarships in memory of their children.
“As a mom, your kids are never gone, they’re not gone,” Nancy said. “They’re here and they’re here because I’m here. And as long as I’m alive and breathing, I will do things in their name.”
While awaiting sentencing in March, Grossman made headlines after the DA accused her of misconduct from jail.
Prosecutors wanted Grossman’s access to jailhouse phones taken away after their investigation revealed that she had been trying to get her daughter, husband and legal team to help her get a new trial.
Grossman has allegedly asked her daughter, Alexis, to publish a deputy-worn body camera from the incident that the judge had ordered sealed, and to ask another person to speak with the judge about getting a new trial.
According to a report by the L.A. Times, Grossman sent a letter to the parents of the young boys, who informed prosecutors that Grossman sent them a letter on March 13.
Further details in the report say that Grossman was communicating with her daughter on how to push for a new trial.
“We have to get a real story out there about everything behind us and everything that wasn’t done and all the things that were hidden from the jury and how the media influenced the entire trial and how they were releasing all this stuff to the media, just to make me look like a monster and that we know that the jurors were influenced by it,” Grossman said.
“I’m going to do everything for you, Mom. Everything,” her daughter Alexis replied. “And so is Dad.”
Grossman was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. She faces 34 years to life in prison.