Judge rules no conflict of interest in Rebecca Grossman case
A judge has ruled there is no conflict of interest in Rebecca Grossman’s case after she hired a new attorney who also represents a woman who used to work for the prosecutors in the original trial.
The Los Angeles socialite was convicted of second-degree murder in the hit-and-run deaths of Jacob Iskander, 8, and Mark Iskander, 11, who were struck and killed in a crosswalk in Westlake Village in 2020.
Grossman hired defense attorney James Spertus, who also represents someone from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, Diana Teran, who was charged with 11 felonies for allegedly misusing confidential law enforcement records. Before Teran was charged, she oversaw the prosecutors in the second-degree murder trial.
Because of this, the DA reassigned the prosecutors from the case due to a potential conflict of interest. But now, with the judge’s ruling, Grossman’s sentencing hearing will go on as scheduled on June 10.
She was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. Grossman faces 34 years to life in prison.
KTLA 5’s Kareen Winter was at the courthouse in Van Nuys on Friday for the hearing. She reports that prosecutors argued that Spertus’ hiring is a major issue in this case, as Teran could have possibly influenced or relayed confidential information about Grossman’s case to the defense attorney.
Spertus retorted that these claims are a “fantastical narrative,” and that Grossman has always been aware that he represented Teran in an unrelated case. Spertus added that prosecutors have failed to establish any potential conflict and that he has a divided duty of loyalty to someone from the DA’s office.
The judge agreed with Spertus, saying he does not see any conflict of interest in this case, Winter reports.
It was tense in the courtroom, with Grossman’s family and Jacob and Mark’s parents also in attendance.
Winter reports that Grossman was very emotional throughout the hearing, letting out a loud cry when she saw her family upon entering the courtroom. Grossman’s daughter was also visibly upset and being consoled by her father.
VAN NUYS, CA – FEBRUARY 14: Rebecca Grossman heads to Van Nuys Courthouse West Van Nuys, CA. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Rebecca Grossman, second from left, with her husband, Dr. Peter Grossman, left, and daughter heads to Van Nuys Courthouse West Van Nuys, CA. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Nancy Iskander (center) is seen hugging loved ones after a day of deliberations in a Van Nuys courthouse on Feb. 22, 2024. (KTLA) Nancy Iskander and her husband Karim exit Van Nuys Courthouse during a lunch break from a preliminary hearing for Rebecca Grossman who is charged with murder and other counts stemming from a crash in Westlake Village that left the Iskanders sons Mark Iskander, 11, and Jacob Iskander, 8, dead. Nancy Iskander took the witness stand and testified to the moment her sons were killed by Grossmans Mercedes as they were walking in the crosswalk on Triunfo Canyon Rd. In. Westlake. Village. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Courtroom sketch of Rebecca Grossman being handcuffed when a guilty verdict was announced in a Van Nuys courtroom on Feb. 23, 2024. Mark Iskander, left, and Jacob Iskander, right, are seen in a family photo. Mark Iskander, left, and Jacob Iskander, right, are seen in a family photo. Heavy front-end damage seen on a white Mercedes-Benz SUV, whose driver is suspected of striking and killing two boys in Westlake Village on Sept. 29, 2020. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department) The scene of a fatal crash in Westlake Village is cordoned off on Sept. 29, 2020. (KTLA) The scene of a fatal crash in Westlake Village is cordoned off on Sept. 29, 2020. (KTLA) The victim’s scooter is seen on the ground after a double-fatal crash in Westlake Village on Sept. 29, 2020. (KTLA) Rebecca Grossman is shown in an undated photo from her Instagram page.
Jacob and Mark’s father, Karim, and mother, Nancy, believe Grossman intentionally hired Spertus knowing there would be a conflict of interest.
“There is clear attempt by Ms. Grossman to not just create a conflict of interest,” Karim said to KTLA 5. “But to influence the justice system in her favor.”
Nancy says she and her husband have dealt with the unimaginable pain of losing two children, and this move by Grossman prolongs their suffering.
“By the system allowing Ms. Grossman to play these games and keep bringing us back, to the healing and the road to hope and healing,” she said. “It’s just very disappointing and sad.”
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