Give Lizzie Grubman A Break

It seems that everyone covering the proceedings of the Lizzie Grubman case is intent on highlighting the unnecessary violence with which she pulled her SUV out of its parking place and unwittingly backed into a crowd of people. They want to talk about how Lizzie seemed angry and upset when leaving the club and point to the fact that she allegedly addressed one of the bouncers as "white trash." These are the facts surrounding the incident that people want to focus on, in addition to speculation that Grubman had been drinking and using illegal drugs earlier in the evening.

All of these facts and allegations are certainly pertinent to what ultimately resulted in a horrific scene in the parking lot of a popular Southampton club. However, some other facts should be considered as well, which are rarely talked about in the media. Many people who have followed this story in the press are not aware that Lizzie's mother was on her deathbed at the time of the accident or that her father's partner had been battling cancer. Lizzie's days were filled with 8-hour vigils at her mother's bedside, batting the press there as well. Her mother has passed during the turmoil of the last couple of months.

Her mother's caregiver, an extended member of the Grubman family, was experiencing unthinkable tragedies in her own life. First, her daughter died suddenly when traveling in a New York subway after fainting from the heat. This was followed by the murder of the caregiver's son, not long after. All of this, of course, weighs on the mind of Lizzie and her family, being emotionally tied to the caregiver and her family. These are the aspects of the Lizzie Grubman story that seem to slip through the cracks of most reports about her accident. It's much easier to portray her as a spoiled, wealthy, socialite that exploded when told she had to obey the laws like everyone else. It's at least easier than explaining the entire situation.