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California mom who watched rich and powerful 'narcissist' mow down her two sons makes promise to killer

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California mom who watched rich and powerful 'narcissist' mow down her two sons makes promise to killer

The mother of two California boys who were killed by a rich and powerful socialite who blew through a crosswalk in a speeding Mercedes has vowed to confront the convicted murderer in prison in the hope that she will someday show remorse after what critics call a lenient sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

“My plan is to give her a visit in prison, in a few months or maybe a year, and I will ask her that question directly,” said Nancy Iskander, the mother of 8-year-old Jacob and 11-year-old Mark. “I will say, ‘Are you able to say, “I am sorry I killed them?”’ This will allow me to forgive, because I need to get through what she’s done.”

Iskander was forced to dive to safety with her youngest son, Zachary, who was 5 at the time, when Rebecca Grossman, a 60-year-old co-founder of a prominent burn center and a wealthy Los Angeles philanthropist, sped toward them at more than 80 mph. 

LOS ANGELES SOCIALITE REBECCA GROSSMAN GETS 15 YEARS TO LIFE FOR CRASH THAT KILLED 2 BOYS

Mark and Jacob Iskander were both killed when Rebecca Grossman sped through a crosswalk while racing home from a boozy date in 2020. (Nancy and Karim Iskander)

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The mother and surviving son watched in horror as Grossman slammed into Mark and Jacob at an estimated 81 mph. Then she fled the scene.

Grossman, who prosecutors described as a “completely self-serving” narcissist, was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and fleeing the scene of an accident for the Sept. 29, 2020, crash, but not without a number of dramatic curveballs in the case.

“She has lived a life of privilege and clearly felt that her wealth and notoriety would buy her freedom,” prosecutors wrote to the court while requesting the maximum allowable sentence of 34 years to life in prison.

According to prosecutors, even after her conviction she refused to take responsibility for the deaths, which jurors found were murders and not a “tragic accident.”

On Friday, Judge Joseph Brandolino sentenced her to two concurrent terms of 15 years to life in prison plus another three years for fleeing the scene that will also run concurrently. California legal experts tell Fox News Digital she could be eligible for parole in just eight years.

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MOTHER OF SLAIN CALIFORNIA BOYS SPEAKS OUT AS CONVICTED KILLER DRAGS OUT CASE IN COURT: ‘SHE’S A MURDERER’

Rebecca Grossman, left, and daughter head to Van Nuys Courthouse in West Van Nuys, California. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

One glaring issue with the sentencing, in Iskander’s view, is that Grossman’s sentences were not imposed to run consecutively, which the mother says reduces the murders of two boys as if they were one person and completely erases Grossman’s attempt to flee the scene and avoid justice altogether.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to accept that … or even understand the judge’s point of view,” she told Fox News Digital. 

LA DA’S CATASTROPHIC INCOMPETENCE’ COULD BOTCH CASE AGAINST CONVICTED DOUBLE CHILD KILLER, LAWYER WARNS

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Karim Iskander, right, and wife Nancy arrive for Rebecca Grossman’s sentencing on June 10, 2024, in Van Nuys, California. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The concurrent sentences for a suspect who prosecutors said showed no remorse is unusually lenient, according to Garrett Dameron, a supervisor in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office who oversaw the line prosecutors on the case.

In contrast, a man in nearby Ventura County received a sentence of 30 years to life in prison for the deaths of a woman and her granddaughter who were riding together on a motorcycle when he smashed into them head-on while driving high.

FORMER MLB PITCHER SCOTT ERICKSON MADE THREATS AFTER HE WAS SEEN HIDING NEAR FATAL CRASH, DAUGHTER SAYS

A sign shows an image of Mark Iskander, 11, left, and his brother, Jacob, 8, outside a Van Nuys courthouse. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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“She basically showed no regard for the way our justice system works, and he rewards her with basically the lightest sentence he can give her,” Dameron told Fox News Digital. “It’s deeply offensive.”

While behind bars, Grossman was accused of attempted juror tampering and repeatedly violating court orders. Prosecutors say she also tried to release sealed evidence to the public and to contact witnesses.

“The defendant’s actions from September 29, 2020, through today show a complete lack of remorse and narcissistic superiority that leads to only one conclusion, that she is undeserving of any leniency,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo.

CALIFORNIA SOCIALITE REBECCA GROSSMAN ORDERED TO STAND TRIAL IN HIT-AND-RUN DEATHS OF 2 CHILDREN

Jacob Iskander (Nancy and Karim Iskander)

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Iskander said Grossman even made an anonymous donation of $25,000 toward the boys’ funeral costs, which the mother argues violated her right to refuse the killer’s money.

“She essentially attempted to buy her way out of this,” Dameron said. “Never has she once shown a modicum of remorse or sympathy or never has she even hinted at taking responsibility for this. And my issue with the judge is he had made comments throughout the trial that he didn’t like the murder charges in this case. Instead of objectively pronouncing [the] sentence as he should’ve, I think he’s attempting to legislate from the bench.”

Grossman’s lawyer, James Spertus, said the judge gave a thoughtful and detailed explanation for the sentence, adding that Grossman is a first-time criminal offender who had a decades-old reputation for humanitarian work.

“This case involves a tragic accident that resulted in incalculable loss to the Iskanders, so it is understandable they would be disappointed in any sentence short of the death penalty,” he told Fox News Digital. “However, I expected more maturity and professionalism from the prosecutors.”

Nancy Iskander and her three sons, Mark, Jacob and Zachary (Nancy and Karim Iskander)

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‘WOKE’ CALIFORNIA PROSECUTOR ‘IRONICALLY IN CHARGE OF ETHICS’ CHARGED WITH FELONIES

Grossman was speeding, had alcohol and drugs in her system, and plowed through the boys as they made their way through a crosswalk with their mother and younger brother. Court documents show she had a series of traffic citations going back to at least 2000.

Then, according to Iskander, she tormented the family for years with her legal maneuvering and alleged attempts to tamper with witnesses and the jury.

She explained that she constantly has flashbacks to the day of the crime, the sight of Mark and Jacob on the road. 

“I keep living it every day, every minute of every day,” she said. “How can he just ignore something like that?”

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Nancy Iskander and her husband, Karim, are shown outside court in Van Nuys, California. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Following the horror, the boys’ parents and younger brother have devoted themselves to helping others, kicking off a charitable foundation in honor of Mark and Jacob and launching a foster care project that will soon be licensed in Los Angeles. 

Zachary, now 8, is preparing to go on his first mission overseas to help build houses in memory of his brothers, Iskander said.

“I had always wanted them to wait until their teen years, but he wants to do something to honor his brothers,” she said. 

  

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She is hoping to raise money for The Mark & Jacob Foundation at an Oct. 20 event and for the forthcoming Mark & Jacob Foster Care Ministry.

Iskander also said she is willing to help other parents suffering through the trauma of losing their children.

“I just want to say to anyone listening, if they have a tragedy, if they are broken, to keep their faith,” she said.

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Oregon

East Evans Creek Fire grows to 3,154 acres

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East Evans Creek Fire grows to 3,154 acres


Firefighters working the East Evans Creek Fire about seven miles west of Shady Cove continued making progress overnight, but predicted windy conditions are expected to test fire lines as crews push to strengthen containment.

The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District said the fire was estimated at 3,154 acres as of Sunday, July 12, with 0% containment.

Fire activity increased Saturday evening as gusty winds, dry fuels and steep terrain contributed to more active fire behavior. Coordinated ground and aerial suppression efforts limited significant growth, with air tankers used extensively to slow the fire’s spread and helicopters making water drops to cool hotspots and support firefighters in difficult terrain.

On Sunday morning, crews took advantage of more favorable conditions created by an inversion and moderate overnight relative humidity recovery. Firefighters are working to strengthen containment ahead of critical fire weather expected from Sunday into early next week. Winds were expected to gust up to 30 mph Sunday afternoon, with elevated fire weather concerns continuing through the weekend and the potential for thunderstorms on Monday. Aerial suppression operations were expected to be limited Sunday morning by the inversion but remain available as visibility improves and conditions allow.

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Structural resources remained in place to protect threatened residences, with structural firefighters focused on protecting homes and critical infrastructure and improving defensible space around threatened properties. Wildland firefighters continued working at the fire’s edge where possible. In areas of extreme and steep terrain, crews also opened alternate lines from previous fires as a precaution in case direct line construction along the fire’s edge is not possible.

The fire started Friday afternoon at 2:41 p.m. after a car crashed into a power pole, sparking dry vegetation, according to ODF. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the cause of the crash.

Evacuation notices remained in effect Sunday for areas surrounding the fire, issued by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management.

Level 3 – Go Now: JAC-148A. All residences adjacent to East Evans Creek Road from 19385 through 21899 are included, along with residences at 21612 Antioch Road and 21615 Antioch Road.

Level 2 – Be Set: JAC-016, JAC-124, JAC-147 and JAC-148B.

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Level 1 – Be Ready: JAC-003, JAC-004, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-036, JAC-109, JAC-126 and JAC-149B.

Evacuation areas can be seen on a map through genasys.com. Users can plug in their address and see whether they are within an evacuation zone.

An evacuation shelter for residents and domestic pets was established at Hanby Middle School, 806 6th Ave., Gold Hill.

Horses can be taken to The Expo at 21 Penninger Road, Central Point, but owners are asked to call 541-776-7206 first to confirm space is available. The Josephine County Fairgrounds can take pigs, goats and smaller animals at 1451 Fairgrounds Road, Grants Pass.

For livestock sheltering assistance, call 541-776-7206.

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Traffic was closed to the public on East Evans Creek Road at Meadows Road. Officials asked the public to avoid the fire area to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate safely.

A temporary flight restriction was in place for the fire area daily, 24 hours a day, until further notice. Officials warned that flying a drone near or around a wildfire is illegal and can interfere with firefighting operations.



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Utah

Families fight to stay cool as Salt Lake City reaches record-breaking temperatures

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Families fight to stay cool as Salt Lake City reaches record-breaking temperatures


SALT LAKE CITY — On Sunday, it got all the way up to 109 degrees in Salt Lake City, and on a record-breaking heat day, it was not a surprise to find a packed splash pad.

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Salt Lake City reaches new record high temperature

Max Simakov and his family were visiting from Texas, and let’s just say a triple-digit day is nothing they couldn’t handle.

“Three of us live in Austin, Texas, and so this is actually normal except we have humidity. So this is nothing,” Simakov said.

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While the kids were cooling off at the splash pad, things were heating up in the car. FOX 13 News placed a tray of unbaked cookies on the dashboard, seeing how long it would take to bake. In the first 30 minutes, the cookies had already reached 130 degrees, which shows how fast things can heat up.

Sunday night forecast:

Triple-digits sticking around – Sunday night forecast

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West Jordan resident Kristina Morrill and her family were at the splash pad on Sunday, and she said she takes extra safety precautions for her family during the summer months.

“I’m vulnerable to the heat, so I can pass out, and so they kind of know hydration is the key,” she said. “Get yourself ready. Start drinking earlier, maybe a couple hours before that.”

“Sunscreen for sure — we are very diligent with that,” Simakov added. “Sometimes in the summertime, kids kind of roam from house to house, from friend to friend, and so I just want to make sure the kids are hydrated.”

In a matter of just two hours, the cookies inside FOX 13’s car had crisp edges, which demonstrated how dangerously hot the inside of cars can get. It’s encouraged not to leave dogs or kids inside the car for long periods of time, especially on triple-digit days.

Salt Lake County has a list of cooling centers across the state, along with their hours, on their website.

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Wyoming

First Alert Weather Days through Sat. for excessive heat, possibly through Wednesday for fire danger

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First Alert Weather Days through Sat. for excessive heat, possibly through Wednesday for fire danger


A dangerous heat wave is pushing temperatures above 100 degrees across western South Dakota, northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana, with records already broken in Sheridan. Red flag warnings have expanded to include Gillette, Newcastle, Rapid City and Pine Ridge as gusty winds and low humidity fuel critical fire danger through at least Wednesday.



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