Community gathers to honor boys killed in Westlake Village following guilty verdict

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (KABC) -- Two days after a jury convicted socialite Rebecca Grossman in the hit-and-run deaths of two young brothers in Westlake Village, a memorial for the boys continues to grow in hopes of helping the family heal.

Grossman, wife of a prominent Los Angeles burn doctor, fatally struck Mark Iskander, 11, and brother Jacob, 8, while speeding behind a car driven by then-lover Scott Erickson, a former Dodgers pitcher.

On Friday, the jury found Grossman guilty on all counts: Two felony counts each of second-degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter, and one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. She faces 34 years to life in prison.

Since the verdict, people have been bringing flowers, balloons, and signs to the crash site as a way to support the Iskander family.

A large crowd of residents, family friends and first responders gathered Saturday afternoon to honor the boys.

"We felt it was important to gather together because a lot of people couldn't come to court," said Julie Cohen. "There wasn't enough room, and it was very important for us to gather together and say a prayer together for Mark and Jacob."

The deadly crash occurred on the evening of Sept. 29, 2020.

Attending the court proceedings "felt like I am attending the funeral of the boys again, day after day," their mother, Nancy Iskander, told reporters after the verdict. "Someone is now held accountable. Mark and Jacob did not die, Mark and Jacob were murdered."

"So many waves of this tragedy going through everybody," said Jenni Nagel. "It's affected me personally. Mark used to play at my house. It's affected my sons that they don't have their friends anymore. It's been horrible."

Grossman was not charged with being under the influence, but former baseball player Royce Clayton testified he had joined her and Erickson at a nearby restaurant where Erickson had two margaritas and Grossman had one, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Prosecutors presented evidence that the data recorder in Grossman's white Mercedes showed she was speeding at up to 81 mph and tapped her brakes, slowing her to 73 mph, less than two seconds before a collision that set off her airbags.

The district attorney's office commended the jury for its ruling in a statement.

"This decision underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who drive with total disregard for human life," the statement said. "We know that this guilty verdict can never replace their lives but we hope it may provide some peace for the Iskander family as they continue a life-long journey of healing from this tragedy.

Grossman's lead defense attorney, Tony Buzbee, repeatedly blamed Erickson for the deaths, suggesting the retired baseball player's car hit Jacob, hurling him to a curb, and then hit Mark, throwing him into the path of Grossman's Mercedes, the Times reported.

Buzbee did not immediately return a request for comment after the verdict was read.

An attorney for Erickson has said the former ballplayer denies contributing in any way to the tragedy. Erickson was initially charged with a misdemeanor count of reckless driving but it was dismissed after he made a public service announcement, the Times said.

Nancy Iskander testified that the black SUV did not hit her sons but could have hit her and her 5-year-old son, Zachary. She said she dove out of the way and pulled Zachary to safety.

The mother said she did not see Mark and Jacob being struck but three eyewitnesses testified they saw a white or light-colored vehicle hit the boys.

Grossman's husband, Dr. Peter Grossman, medical director of the Grossman Burn Centers, was called to testify by his wife's defense. The Grossmans are founders of the Grossman Burn Foundation, which promotes care and support of burn survivors.

Peter Grossman said he and his wife were separated at the time, living separate lives under the same roof while dating other people. His wife was involved with Erickson in 2020, he testified.

Under prosecution questioning, Peter Grossman said that out of the hundreds of times he rode with Rebecca Grossman he had no recollection of her ever speeding.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.