5 things you need to know about the Rebecca Grossman verdict that shocked the nation
- Rebecca Grossman, a prominent socialite and wife of a Los Angeles burn surgeon, was found guilty of second-degree murder for a 2020 crash that killed two young brothers, Mark and Jacob Iskander.
- Prosecutors argued she was driving over 80 mph and had a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit, along with traces of the sleep aid zolpidem, at the time of the fatal crosswalk collision in Westlake Village.
- Her defense team claimed she was a victim of road rage from another driver, Scott Steckly, and that the crash was an accident, not murder—a narrative the jury ultimately rejected after a 10-day trial.
- The case became a viral flashpoint for debates about privilege and justice, as Grossman’s husband, Dr. Peter Grossman, is a noted surgeon, and the couple had a history of prior traffic violations, including a conviction for reckless driving.
- This verdict marks a rare instance of a fatal DUI-related crash leading to a murder conviction in California, potentially setting a precedent for how wealthy defendants are held accountable in future high-profile trials.