Westlake Village, California – A judge denied prosecutors’ request to revoke phone privileges for Rebecca Grossman, who was convicted of murder and other charges in a fatal crash that killed two young boys. Grossman, the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, was ordered by the judge not to contact the victims’ family members or jurors.
In a recent court filing, Deputy District Attorneys Ryan Gould and Jamie Castro alleged that Grossman had been using her phone calls to engage in potentially illegal conduct. The prosecutors claimed that Grossman admitted to violating a court protective order by disclosing evidence on the internet and to the press. They also accused her of discussing criminal conspiracies such as attempts to interfere with witnesses, influence the judge, and request a new trial.
The prosecutors cited several recorded phone calls between Grossman and her husband and daughter, where she allegedly requested the release of protected discovery and asked her husband to contact someone named “Tom” to request a new trial.
In response to the prosecutors’ concerns, they requested that Grossman be housed in a jail section where she has no phone access and limited communication with the outside. They also proposed that all her incoming and outgoing mail be screened.
Grossman, who has been held without bail, is facing a potential sentence of 34 years to life in state prison. The sentencing is scheduled for April 10.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Grossman and her then-boyfriend, former Dodger pitcher Scott Erickson, had been drinking before the crash. They claimed that Grossman’s white Mercedes-Benz SUV hit the boys as they were crossing a marked crosswalk. Prosecutors alleged that Grossman continued driving after the incident and only stopped when her car engine gave out.
Grossman’s defense attorney, Tony Buzbee, countered by suggesting that Erickson was the one who struck the boys first with his vehicle. However, Erickson was never called to testify in the case.
The denial of Grossman’s phone privileges comes as prosecutors raise concerns about her potentially manipulating the legal process. The judge’s decision aims to ensure the integrity of the ongoing proceedings and prevent any further misconduct.