An intense courtroom scene unfolded in the punitive phase of the wrongful death civil trial involving Rebecca Grossman and her former partner, Scott Erickson, a onetime Dodgers pitcher. Having been found liable for the deaths of two young boys, the focus now shifts to the financial penalties that could be added to the already awarded $176 million.
Testimony of Dr. Peter Grossman
On Monday, Dr. Peter Grossman, a prominent plastic surgeon and husband of Rebecca Grossman, testified. Attorney Brian Panish, representing the family of the victims, Mark and Jacob Iskander, questioned him extensively about his family’s wealth and his wife’s involvement in the tragic incident that occurred in 2020.
During his testimony, Dr. Grossman expressed regret, stating, “the pain the Iskanders have had is enormous and there’s no words that are enough. All I can say is that I am very, very sorry.” However, Panish challenged him further, questioning Grossman’s apology as insincere, suggesting it coincided with the timing of the financial penalty.
Questions of Responsibility and Negligence
Panish pressed Dr. Grossman on whether his wife had been drinking and racing with Erickson on the night the boys were struck by her SUV at nearly 73 mph. He questioned why Dr. Grossman hadn’t voiced his apologies earlier.
During the trial, it was revealed that Rebecca Grossman and Erickson were deemed negligent, acting with malice, and, crucially, “acting in concert” on the night resulting in the fatal accident. The compensation awarded—shared between Grossman and Erickson—amounts to $176 million, covering compensatory and emotional distress damages to the Iskander family.
Panish also probed Dr. Grossman’s testimony, urging him to acknowledge his wife’s actions, suggesting the court should penalize them to deter similar future actions.
Asset Transfers and Legal Tactics
The proceedings delved into asset transfers involving properties in Texas and Georgia, as well as other financial maneuvers, raising questions of whether Grossman and Erickson were concealing assets. Panish highlighted prison phone calls between Rebecca Grossman and her husband, suggesting strategies to protect their wealth from punitive actions.
The trial included playing these recordings, intensifying the courtroom exchanges. The Judge reminded Dr. Grossman to provide only factual responses, pressing him on whether he considered his wife’s behavior reprehensible, to which he admitted negligence but not intentional malice.
With the trial’s punitive phase underway, the decision on additional penalties hinges on the jury’s deliberations expected to commence soon.