Blood Alcohol Evidence Allowed In Case Over Iskander Brothers' Deaths

AGOURA HILLS, CA — A judge on Tuesday denied Rebecca Grossman's attempt to have a blood alcohol concentration test excluded from the upcoming trial. Tuesday's hearing comes after Judge Joseph Brandolino upheld murder charges against Grossman, bringing her another step closer to trial.

On Tuesday Grossman's lawyers attempted to exclude a blood alcohol concentration test from the courtroom, claiming the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy on the scene failed to give her a choice between a blood test and a breath test as required by California law. Brandolino denied the motion, noting that deputies had a valid search warrant and "conducted themselves reasonably" acting in good faith.

Grossman, a Hidden Hills resident, is accused of hitting Jacob, 8, and Mark Iskander, 11, with her car. She was charged in 2020 with two felony counts each of murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. Grossman in September was denied a motion to dismiss two counts of murder, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Julie Cohen, a representative of the Iskander family, spoke on their behalf.

"We are pleased with the judge's decision," Cohen said. "The truth matters and the facts of the case never change."

Grossman faces 34 years to life in prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's office. Another pretrial hearing is scheduled later in November and her trial could start as early as February, according to Brandolino.

"The constant court dates are a struggle for the family. Nancy and Karim [Iskander] are ordinary people with regular jobs and two small children," Cohen said. "When these hearings come up, they have to choose between being here or being with their other children. The family continues to take things a day at a time."

Around six community members attended Tuesday's pretrial hearing in Van Nuys to support Nancy and Karim Iskander, donning t-shirts and pins bearing pictures of Mark and Jacob Iskander.

"[Nancy and Karim] miss Mark and Jacob every minute of the day," Cohen said. "We ask that you continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers."

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