Breaking: Iskander vs. Grossman Civil Case Delayed Again; Trial Set for April
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The civil action stemming from the 2020 Westlake Village crosswalk tragedy has been postponed once more. Plaintiffs, the parents of Mark and Jacob Iskander, were prepared to go to trial against Rebecca Grossman, her husband Dr. Peter Grossman, and Scott Erickson in Van Nuys. A Dec. 18 ruling by Judge Huey Cotton extended the timeline by three months after defense counsel stated no attorney was ready to proceed on Jan. 5.
Rebecca Grossman, previously convicted in February 2024 of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and hit-and-run resulting in death, is currently serving a sentence of 15 years to life. The wrongful-death suit also targets Dr. Peter Grossman and Scott Erickson, who was allegedly racing with Grossman at the time of the crash; erickson faced misdemeanor reckless driving charges that were dismissed following his completion of a public service announcement on road safety.
what changed and who is involved
Defense attorney turnover compounded the scheduling challenge. Dana Fox, who had led the Grossman civil defense, left the firm, and the designated replacement faced a medical emergency, leaving the case without a ready trial team for jan. 5. Laurie Stayton of the same firm notified the court that the successor would not be prepared to handle a complex, document-heavy trial on the requested date.
Judge Cotton pressed the firm to secure capable counsel within days.When that did not occur, he approved a new trial date of april 13, overruling objections from the Iskanders’ attorney, Brian Panish.
Panish criticized the proceedings, arguing the delay reflected ongoing accountability gaps and questioning why a replacement attorney could not be found promptly. He noted that the timing affected the families who have waited through multiple delays in both criminal and civil actions.
As part of the hearing, the court addressed juror logistics. Lewis Brisbois was ordered to reimburse the court $2,889.62 to cover first-day juror fees for 150 jurors who had already been seated and prepared to begin trial.
In a notable development at the hearing, the court removed, without prejudice, the comparative-negligence instruction the Grossmans had requested. The judge indicated there would be room to reintroduce the doctrine if future evidence supports it.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Civil action | Iskander family vs. Rebecca Grossman, Dr. Peter Grossman, Scott Erickson |
| Criminal status | Grossman convicted February 2024; sentence 15 years to life |
| Original trial date | January 5 |
| New trial date | April 13 |
| Judge | Huey Cotton |
| Law firm changes | Dana Fox left; replacement delayed by medical emergency |
| Court cost | Reimbursed $2,889.62 for juror fees for 150 jurors |
Evergreen insights for readers
This case underscores how staffing disruptions in high-stakes civil litigation can extend the timeline for accountability after deadly incidents. Delays affect the emotional well-being of bereaved families and can shape public perception of the legal system’s ability to deliver timely justice.The procedure demonstrates the judiciary’s balancing act between ensuring a fair trial and managing complex, resource-intensive litigation in crowded court calendars.
Observers should monitor whether new counsel can quickly acclimate to a dense evidentiary record and whether additional procedural motions surface, including potential reintroduction of jury instructions or further continuances. The eventual resolution could influence how future wrongful-death suits are navigated in California courts.
Two questions for readers
How do repeated court delays impact the credibility of accountability efforts in high-profile cases? Should the legal system prioritize speed or meticulous due process when juries weigh complex, high-stakes civil claims?
Disclaimer: This article provides general data and does not constitute legal advice.
Why was the wrongful death trial postponed after the Grossman defense team collapsed?
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