Famed protection lawyer Alan Jackson stepped down Wednesday as counsel for Nick Reiner, who’s awaiting trial within the homicide of his dad and mom, beloved Hollywood couple Rob and Michele Reiner.
“We really feel that now we have no selection at this juncture, however to ask to be relieved,” Jackson informed L.A. County Superior Courtroom Decide Theresa McGonigle.
The Los Angeles County public defender’s workplace stepped in to signify Reiner on two counts of homicide within the December stabbing deaths of his dad and mom inside their Brentwood house.
Reiner’s arraignment was postponed till Feb. 23 based mostly on the change of counsel. His new lawyer is Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene.
The transient listening to performed out earlier than a packed courtroom crammed by a crush of media and members of the general public who got here to look at Reiner’s second look in court docket. Rumors that Jackson was dropping out of the case have been whispered within the courthouse early Wednesday morning, because the chief spokeswoman for the L.A. County public defender’s workplace was seen milling round exterior the courtroom.
Jackson and his group disappeared into McGonigle’s chambers round 9:15 a.m. When he got here out, a number of public defender’s workplace officers could possibly be seen sitting within the entrance row of the courtroom, and Jackson walked considered one of them over to talk with Reiner.
Authorities allege Reiner fatally stabbed his 78-year-old father and 70-year-old mom someday within the early morning hours at their Brentwood house on Dec. 14. Their our bodies have been found in the main bedroom by their daughter roughly 12 hours later, and Nick Reiner was arrested that evening in South L.A. by Los Angeles police.
A celebrated director and comedic actor, Rob Reiner was recognized for his work on iconic movies, together with “When Harry Met Sally … ,” “Stand By Me” and “This Is Spinal Faucet.” Rob and Michele met on the set of “When Harry Met Sally…”, and Rob later stated he modified the ending to have the central couple keep collectively after he fell in love with Michele throughout filming. The couple had three kids collectively and Rob additionally has a daughter from a earlier marriage.
Nick Reiner’s struggles with psychological well being and habit points are lengthy documented. He had spoken publicly about getting sober by 2015, when he labored together with his father on “Being Charlie,” a semi-autobiographical movie about habit and restoration that father and son co-wrote. Nick has additionally spoken on podcasts about onerous drug use and destroying his dad and mom’ visitor home whereas “completely spun out on uppers.” He was dwelling within the visitor home on the time of the murders.
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor who shouldn’t be concerned within the Reiner case, stated following the change of counsel from Jackson on Wednesday: “Both Nick can’t pay him or they disagreed on technique. It will be a seven-figure retainer and he doesn’t have the cash. In that case, why would he be dwelling in his dad and mom’ visitor home?”
Michael Goldstein, one other distinguished L.A. protection lawyer, stated: “It will be unfair to try to determine what occurred right here however it’s completely doable a battle arose between the consumer and Jackson. There are lots of extremely proficient attorneys within the public defender’s workplace well-equipped to take over.”
Los Angeles police twice visited the Reiners’ house in 2019 to carry out a welfare test and reply to a mental-health associated name for service, in line with information obtained by The Instances.
Police haven’t disclosed a motive within the killings, although household mates informed The Instances that Rob and Nick Reiner obtained into an argument at a vacation celebration on the house of discuss present host Conan O’Brien hours earlier than the assault.
It’s unclear how distinguished of a task Reiner’s struggles will play in any legal proceedings. Nick Reiner didn’t enter a plea throughout his preliminary court docket look final month and gave the impression to be carrying a suicide prevention vest given to L.A. County inmates who’re vulnerable to self-harm.
