Nick Reiner’s lawyer quits despite saying he’s ‘not guilty of murder’: What happens next?

Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Hollywood icons Rob and Michele Reiner, will now be represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office after his high-profile attorney, Alan Jackson, withdrew from the case on Wednesday. 

Reiner is facing two counts of first-degree murder in the December stabbing deaths of his parents at their Brentwood home. “We feel that we have no choice at this juncture, but to ask to be relieved,” Jackson told L.A. County Superior Court Judge Theresa McGonigle during a brief hearing Wednesday morning. 

Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene has stepped in, and the court rescheduled Reiner’s arraignment for February 23. The courtroom was crowded with members of the media and the public, eager to witness Reiner’s second court appearance. 

Rumors of Jackson’s departure circulated early Wednesday, as officials from the public defender’s office were spotted outside the courthouse.

Jackson and his team met with Judge McGonigle in chambers around 9:15 a.m., after which several public defenders were seated in the front row and Jackson personally introduced Greene to Reiner.

“This morning, I had to withdraw as Nick Reiner’s counsel. Circumstances beyond our control, but more importantly circumstances beyond Nick’s control, had dictated that sadly made it impossible for us to continue our representation of Nick,” Jackson said outside the courthouse. 

“We know — we are not just convinced — we know that the legal process will reveal the true facts of the circumstances surrounding this case.”

He concluded.  “We’ve learned, and you can take this to the bank, is that pursuant to the law in this state, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder — print that!”

Greene addressed reporters briefly, explaining that she had spoken with Reiner for only 30 seconds that morning. Ricardo Garcia, a member of her team, added, “On behalf of the entire public defender’s office, we are incredibly sorry and understand the pain and suffering that the Reiner family is going through at this time. … Our hearts go out to the entire family.”

The tragic timeline:

Authorities allege that Reiner fatally stabbed his 78-year-old father, Rob, and 70-year-old mother, Michele, in the early morning hours of December 14. Their daughter, Romy Reiner, 28, discovered the bodies roughly 12 hours later. Nick Reiner was arrested that night in South Los Angeles without incident.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has announced that Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders, as well as an allegation that he used a dangerous weapon. District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that if convicted, Reiner could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

“No decision at this point has been made with respect to the death penalty,” Hochman told reporters, noting that the family’s perspective would be considered.

The deaths came just hours after an argument between Rob and Nick Reiner at a holiday party hosted by talk-show host Conan O’Brien, according to family friends and the DA’s office timeline.

“Two sources described the incident between father and son at O’Brien’s Christmas party, with one source calling it a ‘big fight,’” People reported.

Family and personal history:

The couple married in 1989 and had three children together, Jake, Nick, and Romy. Rob also has a daughter, Tracey, from a previous marriage.

Nick Reiner’s struggles with addiction and mental health are well documented. 

By 2015, he had publicly discussed his sobriety while collaborating with his father on ‘Being Charlie,’ a semi-autobiographical film about addiction. Reiner has admitted to destructive behaviors while using drugs, including damaging his parents’ guest house, where he was living at the time of the killings.

Los Angeles police visited the Reiners’ home twice in 2019 for welfare checks and mental-health related calls. The motive for the killings has not been disclosed.

Nick has previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and has sought treatment for mental illness and substance abuse at multiple facilities. Reports indicate that his medications were recently adjusted, and he had received care at an L.A.-based rehab center specializing in co-occurring disorders.

Nick’s siblings spoke out:

Following the deaths, Jake and Romy Reiner released a heartfelt statement. “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day.”

“The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.” They asked the public to respect the family’s privacy and to approach speculation with compassion.

What’s next?

Nick Reiner’s arraignment has now been postponed to February 23. He did not enter a plea during Wednesday’s hearing, appearing in a tan jumpsuit and suicide-prevention vest. F

Following the change of counsel, a spokesperson for the Reiner family stated. “They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings.”

Alan Jackson, former L.A. County prosecutor who has defended Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, asked the public to exercise restraint and respect for both the process and the family.

“We ask that during this process, you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward. Not with the rush to judgment, not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity and with the respect that this system and this process deserves and that the family deserves.”

Nick Reiner remains held without bail at Twin Towers Correctional Facility as the case proceeds.