Prosecutors: Rebecca Grossman 'dating' other driver may come up at murder trial
A relationship between Rebecca Grossman and another driver on the road at the time of a crash that killed two Westlake Village brothers may come up during her murder trial.
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The issue was discussed during a pre-trial hearing in a Van Nuys courtroom Monday. 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.
Jury selection for the trial is expected to start next month. On Monday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino addressed several pre-trial motions filed by attorneys.
Grossman, the former publisher of Westlake Magazine, remains out of custody on bail. She is married to plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman.
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Before the crash, witnesses have said Grossman, Scott Erickson, a former professional baseball player, and his friend Royce Clayton met up at a restaurant. The three then planned to meet at Grossman’s home to watch a presidential debate. All three drove separate vehicles, and Clayton was headed to get food first, attorneys said.
During Grossman's preliminary hearing, a clip of security camera footage came up that showed a black SUV – reportedly driven by Erickson – that was apparently followed by Grossman's SUV before the crash.
Prosecutors previously said they had not planned to bring up the nature of their relationship. But on Monday they argued that it would be relevant to explain the chain of events. Deputy District Attorney Jamie Castro said the two were dating at the time.
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The context of their relationship could explain why those two cars would be close together on the road, Castro said. It would be particularly relevant if Grossman's attorneys argue that Erickson was not driving the black vehicle, she said.
"It is a simple explanation of the truth of the evidence in the people's opinion," Castro said.
The defense argued there was no relevance. Witness testimony would show they were leaving the same place around the same time and heading to the same location. What would the nature of any relationship between Grossman and Erickson bring to the table? asked John Hobson, one of Grossman's defense attorneys.
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The judge ruled the nature of the relationship would be relevant if Erickson testifies. If he does not testify, Brandolino said evidence of a relationship also could be mentioned based on the prosecution's argument but only briefly.
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: Grossman's relationship with driver admissible at trial
