The mothers of Mark Iskander and Jacob Iskander, the two boys convicted of murder in the 2020 hit-and-run crash of Rebecca Grossman, believe Judge Joseph Brandolino’s sentence against Grossman was inappropriate.
In her first interview since Monday’s sentencing, Nancy Iskander told NBC4 she believes Judge Brandolino should have imposed a harsher sentence that took into account the deaths of her two sons.
Grossman had faced up to 34 years in prison, but was sentenced to 15 years to life on each of the second-degree murder charges and three years on the hit-and-run charge, but she was ordered to serve the sentences concurrently.
“It was heartbreaking to me to count two boys as one,” Iskander said. “What message are you trying to send to the public? Is a hit-and-run OK? It’s better to hit someone, kill them and run away. Hit-and-runs are simultaneous, so you might have a better chance of running away than staying and taking responsibility.”
“And unfortunately, I can’t change that. But I want Mr. Brandolino to know that this was unfair,” she added.
Grossman was found guilty on February 23 of two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter by gross negligence and one count of hit-and-run driving, but continues to deny killing the boys.
Shortly after the verdict, Iskander told the media that she thought the judge should be a little lenient with Grossman, given her role as a mother and wife. However, her attitude changed after Grossman sent a letter to the Iskander family from prison and Judge Brandolino subsequently ordered her not to contact the family.
“I love her. I love her family. I have no hatred. But that’s not the same as seeking justice, right? I love them. But on the other hand, she’s not going to show me any mercy,” Iskander said. “She’s never apologized. She’s said ‘I’m sorry’ so many times. ‘I’m sorry for what happened to you. I’m sorry for losing your children. I’m sorry that your children died’… She’s never said ‘I’m sorry I killed my children.’ She’s so tormented by the fact that she did it and she’s not going to take responsibility.”
Prosecutors had asked Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino to impose a longer sentence of 34 years to life in state prison on Grossman, who turns 61 on Friday, for the murders of Mark Iskander and Jacob Iskander, who were 11 and 8 years old at the time, in September 2020. The boys were crossing the street with their families in a community northwest of Los Angeles when they were struck by Grossman’s white Mercedes-Benz SUV.
The defense had sought probation or a lighter state prison sentence of just over 12 years on the lesser charge of vehicular manslaughter.
Grossman, wearing a brown jumpsuit, shook her head and cried as she listened to victim impact statements in court during the verdict. The statements are typically given by family, friends or other acquaintances of the victim, but the list of speakers was so long that the judge asked that they be shortened.
Speakers included Mark and Jacob’s mother, uncles, grandmother, teachers, pastors and neighbors who shared stories about the boys.
“I want them to be remembered as people who did good things in the world,” Iskander said. “And if they’re not here to do it, then I’m here to do it for them.”
The Iskander family founded the Mark and Jacob Iskander Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged children around the world, including those in foster care.
The foundation is based in Westlake Village.
“In fifth grade, Mark ran for student council at his school. His plan was, ‘I’m going to make this the best year of my school,’ and ‘Mark My Word’ was his pun,” Iskander said. “I’m going to turn this tragedy into something so beautiful.”
Iskander said after a lengthy legal battle that has lasted nearly four years, he now wants to focus all his energy on honouring his sons.
“I don’t know what Mark and Jacob would have done in this world if they had been given the chance to live. I don’t know if they would have been married, had children, become doctors, but I have to do everything they could have done. There’s a lot of work to do, but I’m ready. I’m ready,” she said. “I have great people in my life. We’ll make it. Take my word for it.”
Grossman was sentenced Monday to 15 years to life in prison for second-degree murder.
Prosecutors had asked the judge to give Grossman, who turns 61 on Friday, a longer sentence of 34 years to life in state prison for the murders of Mark Iskander and Jacob Iskander, who were 11 and 8 years old at the time, in September 2020. The boys were crossing the street with their families in a community northwest of Los Angeles when they were struck by Grossman’s white Mercedes-Benz SUV.
The defense had sought probation or a lighter state prison sentence of just over 12 years on the lesser charge of vehicular manslaughter.
Grossman, wearing a brown jumpsuit, shook her head and cried during the sentencing hearing, during which victim impact statements were given in court. Statements are typically given by family, friends or other acquaintances of the victim, but the list of speakers was so long that the judge asked that they be shortened.
Speakers included Mark and Jacob’s mother, uncles, grandmother, teachers, pastors and neighbors who shared stories about the boys.
Grossman was found guilty on February 23 of two counts each of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter by gross negligence and one count of hit-and-run driving.
In a typewritten letter to the judge, Grossman wrote, “I am not a murderer. I ask that you acknowledge that truth. My suffering, my awareness of the suffering of the Iskandar people, and the suffering my family is enduring are the punishment I have already received and will continue to receive for the rest of my life. Please take this suffering into consideration when further considering the punishment I may impose in this case.”
“God is my witness. I didn’t see anyone or anything on the road. I swear to you, I would have crashed my car into a tree to avoid hitting those two boys.”
“I can only imagine the pain that[the boys’ parents]Nancy and Karim Iskander are feeling every minute,” she wrote. “I will carry this pain with me for the rest of my life.”
Prosecutors said Grossman was driving fast, intoxicated and had both alcohol and Valium in her system. Evidence at trial showed she was going 73-81 mph in a 45 mph zone just before the crash, prosecutors said. She claims she was not drinking, intoxicated or racing.
Grossman never returned to the scene of the crash, where the SUV’s airbags deployed, or to render medical aid to the boy, prosecutors said. The SUV’s engine stalled about a quarter-mile from the intersection.
Prosecutors said Grossman will be eligible for parole in about nine years.
