Defense Attorney Withdraws as Nick Reiner’s Legal Representation in Parents’ Murder Case

Nick Reiner’s former legal representative, Alan Jackson, avoided responding to inquiries regarding the murder suspect’s financial situation as he approached the courthouse for what was anticipated to be his initial court appearance.

“Alan, who is financing Nick’s defense?” one journalist could be heard questioning Jackson as he exited his vehicle at the Los Angeles Superior Court and proceeded toward the building on Wednesday, January 7. Jackson did not provide an answer, instead gesturing for the press to allow his team passage to enter through the glass door. Nick was initially scheduled to formally enter a plea that morning.

More than an hour later, it was confirmed that Jackson was withdrawing as Nick’s defense attorney in the case involving the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner. Public defender Kimberly Greene will now be representing Nick, 32, moving forward. He remains incarcerated.

“As you are aware, this morning, I was compelled to step down as Nick Reiner’s counsel,” Jackson informed reporters outside of the courthouse following the hearing. “Unforeseen circumstances, but more significantly, circumstances beyond Nick’s control, have unfortunately made it impossible for us to continue our representation of Nick.”

Nick Reiner Addresses Judge in Court as Arraignment Is Postponed Until Next Month

Jackson continued, “I am legally and ethically restricted from disclosing all the reasons for this, I understand that is a question on everyone’s mind. We anticipate the public defender will assume responsibility, they have already been appointed and will diligently safeguard Nick Reiner’s interests as he progresses through the judicial system.”

Jackson reassured the assembled crowd that he and his advisors “remain deeply dedicated” to Nick’s “best interests.”

“Indeed, we are not merely convinced, we know that the legal process will reveal the complete truth regarding the circumstances surrounding Nick’s case,” Jackson continued. “What we have discovered, and you can rely on this, is that, according to California law, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder.”

Following the change in legal representation, Nick’s arraignment was rescheduled to February 23. He is expected to formally enter a plea at the upcoming hearing. The Reiner family released a statement after the shift in legal counsel and the postponement.

“They maintain complete faith in the legal system and will refrain from commenting on matters related to the ongoing legal proceedings,” a spokesperson for the Reiner family stated in a communication to the New York Times on Wednesday.

Nick was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder after his parents, Rob and Michele, aged 78 and 70, respectively, were found deceased in their Brentwood, California, residence on December 14. He faces a potential sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty if convicted.

What Nick Reiner Said in Court During 1st Appearance After Parents' Deaths

Nick made his first court appearance three days after his arrest with Jackson by his side, informing the judge that his client would not immediately be entering a plea. Nick wore a protective garment during the appearance but was subsequently removed from suicide watch, according to multiple reports.

“This is a profoundly tragic event that has befallen the Reiner family,” Jackson stated in a communication to reporters after the appearance. “We all acknowledge that our sympathies go out to the entire Reiner family. There are exceptionally complex and serious issues associated with this case. These require thorough, careful examination, scrutiny, and analysis.”

“We requested that [muffled] procedure you allow the system to advance in the manner it was designed to advance, without a hasty judgment, without drawing premature conclusions, but with restraint, with dignity, and with the respect that this system and this process, and the family, deserve,” the statement continued. “Therefore, we are scheduled for an arraignment on January 7, which is the next court date, and that is all I have to say at this point; there may be more at a later time, but today we will focus on where we stand procedurally, which is a continuance of the arraignment. Nothing substantive occurred today. We will return for an arraignment in the same courtroom on January 7. We’ll see you then.”