Reiner Case Shifts Gears as Jackson Withdraws, Public Defender Takes Over

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman addressed the media following Nick Reiner’s recent court appearance.

“Within our criminal justice system, each defendant is guaranteed the right to a legal representative who will vigorously defend their interests and do so effectively,” Hochman, 62, stated at a press conference outside the courthouse on Wednesday, January 7. “So too is Nick Reiner. Whether it’s Alan Jackson or someone from the public defender’s office or any attorney, he’s entitled to that legal counsel. We will ensure he receives that representation.”

Hochman was referencing Jackson’s surprising announcement on Wednesday that he was withdrawing as Reiner’s counsel and that he would be receiving new representation from the public defender’s office. Public defender Kimberly Greene has been assigned Reiner’s case. Amid this shift in Reiner’s legal team, Hochman indicated that the district attorney’s office would facilitate a seamless transition.

“As we work with this attorney, the DA’s office will guarantee that attorney is provided with complete disclosure of all the details relevant to this particular situation,” he continued. “Whether it’s an interview or any type of video, whether it’s any type of expert reports, we’ll make sure that attorney has the facts necessary to effectively represent their client in a courtroom.”

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Hochman also mentioned that assistant head deputy of major crimes Habib Balian will be prosecuting the case and that he felt “completely assured” in his team’s ability to secure justice for Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

“We are completely assured that a jury will find Nick Reiner guilty beyond any reasonable doubt of the violent murders of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, and do so unanimously,” he concluded.

Nick, 32, appeared in court on Wednesday to be formally charged, but the arraignment was postponed after Jackson stepped down. His next court date is scheduled for Monday, February 23.

“They have complete faith in the legal process and will not offer any further comments regarding matters related to the legal proceedings,” a spokesperson for the Reiner family told The New York Times on Wednesday.

Nick was taken into custody last month for the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele, after they were discovered deceased inside their Los Angeles home. The couple were 78 and 70, respectively.

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In addition to Nick, Michele and Rob are survived by son Jake and daughter Romy. (Rob was also the adoptive father of his late ex-wife Penny Marshall’s daughter, Tracy.)

“Words simply cannot express the unimaginable anguish we are experiencing every moment of the day,” Nick’s siblings later wrote in a joint statement, breaking their silence on the tragedy. “The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever have to endure. They weren’t just our parents; they were our closest friends.”

They continued, “We are thankful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but from people from all areas of life. We now request respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with empathy and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the wonderful lives they lived and the love they shared.”