Here's what to know about the Rebecca Grossman murder trial

Cheri Carlson, Ventura County Star
·3 min read
11
Rebecca Grossman, right, walks out of a Van Nuys courthouse on in May 2022.
Rebecca Grossman, right, walks out of a Van Nuys courthouse on in May 2022.

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge won’t stop the prosecution or its witnesses from bringing up racing during Rebecca Grossman’s murder trial.

Judge Joseph Brandolino said evidence at the preliminary hearing may not have demonstrated the defendant was racing in a 2020 crash that killed two Westlake Village brothers. But other evidence could be presented at the trial, he told attorneys this week.

The issue was one of a list of pre-trial motions the judge considered at a Monday hearing, one of several expected before jury selection is set to begin in January.

Nearly three years ago, Mark and Jacob Iskander, ages 11 and 8, were struck and killed while walking in a Westlake Village crosswalk with their family.

Grossman, of Hidden Hills, faces two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run driving in the case. She has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Discovery delays remain a concern

Earlier this summer, Brandolino agreed to a six-month delay, pushing jury selection from July to January. The decision came after several hearings related to outstanding discovery and in response to prosecutors and defense attorneys agreeing to the continuance.

Last month, the judge set a cutoff date of Nov. 3, saying all discovery would be provided on or before that date. If not, attorneys could face sanctions, he said.

But on Monday, prosecutors raised concerns about the defense waiting until the last minute to provide outstanding reports. If they continue to get items from the defense immediately prior to a court date, a proposed Oct. 27 date for the next hearing could leave too little time for prosecutors to respond to the information.

The judge said he would consider a request for an earlier date if one is needed. Brandolino also said he expects attorneys to continue to provide discovery and not do anything to cause further delays in the case.

Miriam Guirguis, aunt of Mark and Jacob Iskander, attends the "stand up for victims” event at the corner of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Blvd in June.
Miriam Guirguis, aunt of Mark and Jacob Iskander, attends the "stand up for victims” event at the corner of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Blvd in June.

Iskander supporters plan walk

Defense attorneys also asked for prosecutors to make Grossman's cellphone available for their team to review. A motion from prosecutors to use portions of text messages from the phone as evidence was put off Monday.

Grossman, the former publisher of Westlake Magazine, remains out of custody on bail. She is married to plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman and daughter-in-law of Dr. A. Richard Grossman, the founder of the Grossman Burn Center.

Several people supporting her sat in the courtroom during Monday's hearing. On the other side of the room, people supporting the Iskander family also were present, some wearing shirts printed with a picture of the brothers and the words: "Walk for Mark & Jacob Iskander."

A walk is planned for Sept. 29, the third anniversary of the crash. It is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. at Three Springs Park, 3000 Three Springs Drive in Westlake Village.

The shirts also are a fundraiser to help support the Iskander family's efforts to open a Conejo Valley center to support foster families. The words "Slow Down Save Lives" is printed on the back of the shirt.

Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Here's what is next in the Rebecca Grossman murder trial