Jury selection in Rebecca Grossman murder trial expected to start next week

Cheri Carlson, Ventura County Star
·2 min read
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Rebecca Grossman walks out of the Van Nuys courthouse in May 2022.
Rebecca Grossman walks out of the Van Nuys courthouse in May 2022.

After a monthslong delay, Rebecca Grossman's murder trial is expected to start next week – more than three years after a crash that killed two Westlake Village brothers.

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On Monday, attorneys for the defense and prosecution told a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge they were ready for trial. Grossman, of Hidden Hills, faces two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run driving related to the 2020 crash. She has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Mark and Jacob Iskander were 11 and 8 when they were struck and killed during a walk with their family. The boys were in a crosswalk on Triunfo Canyon Road when authorities say a speeding vehicle hit them.

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In a Van Nuys courtroom Monday, Judge Joseph Brandolino took up around a dozen pre-trial motions, ruling on issues that included denying prosecutor's request for jurors to visit the crime scene. He also finalized a questionnaire to provide to potential jurors next week.

Judge agrees to months-long delay

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

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

Jury selection is now expected to start Jan. 16. But the process isn’t expected to be quick.

Organizer Julie Cohen gives Miriam Guirguis, aunt of Mark and Jacob Iskander, a hug at a "stand up for victims" event at the corner of Westlake and Thousand Oaks boulevards in June.
Organizer Julie Cohen gives Miriam Guirguis, aunt of Mark and Jacob Iskander, a hug at a "stand up for victims" event at the corner of Westlake and Thousand Oaks boulevards in June.

What's next in the Grossman case?

Around 300 potential jurors are expected to be called to a courtroom over two days. Those not initially excused because of financial or other hardships will be asked to fill out questionnaires.

Attorneys are expected back in court Jan. 19 to start the process of going through the questionnaires with the judge. Jurors likely will be asked to return early the following week. That’s when attorneys will start in-person questioning to choose a jury, which typically includes 12 members and alternates.

More: Rebecca Grossman failed to stop nearly 'half a mile' after hitting 2 boys, deputy testifies

The trial itself could take six weeks.

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: Rebecca Grossman murder trial to start next week. Here's what we know