Former Major League Baseball pitcher Scott Erickson now has a question hanging over his head like a neon sign outside the Hall of Justice: Will he get away with the deaths of 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander?
New evidence emerging from the civil proceedings paints an ugly picture. Erickson was allegedly drinking heavily, knowingly joined in a high-speed contest on a public street, fled the scene after two little boys were killed, switched vehicles, and then gave sworn testimony that now deserves the full attention of serious investigators. Not a memo. Not a shrug. Not the usual bureaucratic lullaby. A real investigation.
A civil jury has already found Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson liable in the deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander and awarded the family $176 million. The jury also reportedly found malice, which is not exactly a gold star for “just a tragic accident.”
So here is the challenge for Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, sworn in as the 44th District Attorney of Los Angeles County on December 3, 2024: will his office demand that LASD and all relevant agencies take this seriously, complete a criminal re-investigation, and present the evidence for charging review?
Because if the evidence supports charges, then Erickson should not receive the celebrity discount plan. Former Dodger. Former pitcher. Former rich-guy halo. None of that should matter. Two boys are dead.
This also requires a hard, honest re-examination of the criminal case against Rebecca Grossman. New evidence may suggest that Grossman’s conduct fits vehicular manslaughter more cleanly than murder. That is not sympathy. That is law. The justice system is not supposed to be a roulette wheel where one defendant gets buried and another walks away whistling.
The public deserves answers. Did Scott Erickson participate in a speed contest that ended with two children dead? Did he flee? Did he switch cars? Did he give false testimony?
And most importantly, will District Attorney Nathan Hochman do what Los Angeles prosecutors are paid to do, or will this case become another museum exhibit in the grand cathedral of selective justice?
Two boys, Mark Iskander, age 11, and Jacob Iskander, age 8, are dead.
Now let’s see whether Los Angeles still knows how to spell accountability.
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