UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, Nick Reiner’s defense attorney has withdrawn from his murder case just before his scheduled arraignment on February 23, 2024. The attorney, Alan Jackson, made a bold statement outside the courtroom, declaring, “Take this to the bank. Pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Print that! Print that!”
Nick Reiner, aged 32, is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the alleged stabbing deaths of his parents, acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and renowned photographer Michele Singer Reiner, on December 14 in their home located in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. According to the L.A. County medical examiner, both victims succumbed to “multiple sharp force injuries.”
The arraignment was abruptly postponed when Jackson informed the court that the defense felt it had “no choice” but to withdraw. Observers noted a visibly tense atmosphere in the courtroom, where Nick Reiner appeared shackled, with a shaved head, and dressed in a brown jumpsuit.
Jackson, who previously achieved high-profile acquittals including that of Harvey Weinstein, refrained from detailing the reasons for his withdrawal, citing “circumstances beyond our control” and those that “sadly, it’s impossible for us to continue our representation.” He expressed to CBS News that it was one of the most painful decisions of his career.
Now, the L.A. County Public Defender’s Office will take over representation for Nick Reiner. Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene will step in as his new attorney. Reiner remains in custody, held without bail, until the rescheduled hearing.
Following the hearing, L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman expressed confidence in the prosecution’s case, stating he is “fully confident” that Nick Reiner will be found guilty. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, with the district attorney’s office also indicating it may seek the death penalty, although no final decision has been made.
This developing situation continues to capture public attention, with many watching closely as the case unfolds. Stay tuned for more updates on this high-profile trial as it progresses.
