Los Angeles, California – A judge has ruled that convicted murderer Rebecca Grossman’s actions in jail, including recorded telephone calls instructing her family to release sealed evidence and influence witnesses, were a result of her naivety rather than witness tampering. As a result, her sentencing has been delayed by two additional months. Grossman has been awaiting sentencing since her conviction on February 23 for second-degree murder in the deaths of two brothers who were struck and killed in a crosswalk in September 2020.
Prosecutors had sought to have Grossman’s privileges revoked, but the judge refused, stating that he did not view her actions as witness tampering. Grossman’s new legal team argued that her calls and visitors are her only connection to the outside world as she remains in solidarity confinement. The judge agreed to delay Grossman’s sentencing, giving her attorneys time to review the court record and potentially file a motion for a new trial.
In addition to the phone calls, prosecutors also alleged that Grossman’s legal team attempted to tamper with jurors. A private investigator, identified as Paul Stuckey, reportedly contacted jury members without properly identifying himself as working for the defense. While the judge did not view this as tampering or harassment, he did consider it a technical violation of the rules protecting jurors’ identities. The defense has been ordered to destroy any juror names or information obtained during the trial and not to contact jury members further.
Grossman’s sentencing, which had been scheduled for April 10, has been moved to June 10. She is facing a possible sentence of 34 years to life in prison. Defense attorneys argue that inmates should only discuss the facts of their case with their lawyers, emphasizing the importance of adhering to this rule. However, in high-profile cases like Grossman’s, where she sees the motion for a new trial as her only hope, speaking out becomes a calculated risk.
The judge warned Grossman and her attorneys that any future perceived tampering with witnesses could result in restrictions on her jail contact privileges. Despite the delay in sentencing, Grossman’s actions in jail and her new legal team’s conduct continue to draw attention in this closely watched case.