Rebecca Grossman, the socialite convicted of striking and killing two boys while driving under the influence in Westlake Village in 2020, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on Monday.
Grossman, 60, was found guilty in February 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 in connection with the collision that killed Jacob, 8, and Mark Iskander, 11, on Sept. 29, 2020.
She was facing 34 years to life in prison.
The co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and wife of prominent plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman wrote a letter to the judge from jail ahead of her sentencing pleading for mercy.
“I swear to you, I would have driven my car into a tree to avoid hitting two little boys,” Grossman’s letter read in part. “From the very beginning, the facts have been distorted and misrepresented, turning the tragic accident into murder and me into a cold-blooded killer…I am not a murderer, and I ask you to recognize that true fact.”
“My pain, my recognition of the pain the Iskanders suffer and the pain I watch my family endure are punishments that I already suffer and will for the rest of my life,” the letter continued. “Please consider this suffering when you consider what more punishment to impose on me in this case.”
In their sentencing memorandum, prosecutors argued that Grossman deserved the maximum sentence and that she has “not taken a modicum of responsibility” for her actions.
“The defendant has never shown an ounce of remorse for her choices on September 29, 2020…instead, she has only blamed others,” the memorandum stated. “She has lived a life of privilege and clearly felt that her wealth and notoriety would buy her freedom…this was not a tragic accident as the defense continually states, this was murder.”
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón later expressed disappointment with the sentence.
“Our office pursued this case with the intent to seek justice for the victims and their loved ones, advocating for a sentence that would reflect the severity of the crime,” Gascón said in a statement. “We will continue to support the victims’ family during this difficult time.”
Grossman tried to secure a new trial last month; however, a judge found there was no conflict of interest related to one of her new attorney’s other clients – a woman charged with 11 felonies for allegedly misusing confidential law enforcement records.
Among those who made impact statements early Monday were Mark and Jacob’s uncle, grandmother and a neighbor whose children became close with the boys during the COVID-19 pandemic.