In a recent development, Rebecca Grossman, a socialite, has been found guilty of murder in the hit-and-run deaths of two young brothers in 2020. The incident occurred in Westlake Village, California. Prosecutors revealed that Grossman tried to blame NASA and SpaceX for the incident, claiming that she thought something had fallen on her car. Grossman also allegedly conspired with a friend to contact the boys' parents and tried to have a necklace anonymously delivered to them. Prosecutors are seeking a long jail sentence for Grossman, arguing that she has shown no remorse and has refused to accept responsibility for her actions. Grossman's lawyers, on the other hand, are arguing for probation instead of prison time. Grossman's sentencing is scheduled for June 10 [9a5c3753].
In other news, in a significant development in the Gilgo Beach serial killings case, Rex Heuermann, who has already been accused of killing four women, has now been charged with the murders of two more victims. Heuermann, 60, has pleaded not guilty to all charges related to the initial four deaths. The new charges involve the killings of Jessica Taylor, whose partial remains were discovered near Gilgo Beach in 2011, and Sandra Costilla, a 28-year-old New York woman whose remains were found in the Hamptons in 1993. The Gilgo investigation began in late 2010 when the first of 10 victims was found along a desolate stretch of Ocean Parkway east of Jones Beach [92d6d9b4].
Meanwhile, the murder trial of Justin Stein, accused of killing nine-year-old Charlise Mutten, is ongoing. The jury has started deliberations in the case. Stein, 33, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, claiming that Charlise's mother, Kallista Mutten, shot her daughter. Stein admitted to disposing of Charlise's body but said he was unaware of Mutten's actions. The judge instructed the jurors that if they find it reasonable that Mutten shot her own daughter, they must find Stein not guilty. Stein testified as the defense's sole witness, providing his version of events [444912c3].
In other ongoing trials, the Winnipeg murder trial of Jeremy Skibicki continues, with three neighbors who lived in the same apartment building where Skibicki killed four women expected to testify. Skibicki has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, claiming he is not criminally responsible due to mental illness. Prosecutors argue that the killings were racially motivated, with Skibicki targeting vulnerable Indigenous women at homeless shelters. A worker from one of the shelters is also expected to testify [05ad9f62].
Additionally, an obituary has been published for Kathleen A. ‘Kathy’ Scrima, who passed away peacefully on April 23, 2024, in Waukesha, WI. She was a homemaker and skilled cook known for her love of baking cookies during the holidays. After retiring to The Villages, Florida, she enjoyed golfing, spending time with friends, playing cards, traveling, and reading. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, and she will be privately entombed at St. Joseph Cemetery in Waukesha. Donations in her name are appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital [68202418].