The former attorney for Nick Reiner has come forward to discuss his decision to step back from the murder case.
Nick Reiner, aged 32, faces allegations of fatally stabbing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, who were discovered dead in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home last month.
Reiner has been formally charged with first-degree murder, and he appeared in court last week for a session at the Los Angeles Superior Court.
During this hearing, Reiner chose to waive his right to enter a plea for the charges against him. Additionally, it was revealed that his lawyer, Alan Jackson, had decided to withdraw from representing him.
“Circumstances beyond my control, but more importantly circumstances beyond Nick’s control, have made it impossible for us to continue our representation,” Jackson explained to reporters outside the courthouse.
“I’m legally and ethically prohibited from explaining the reasons why,” he added.
In a conversation on Sirius XM’s Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa, Jackson, who has previously defended high-profile figures such as Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, elaborated on his decision to step down from Reiner’s case.
He stated: “Everybody’s got that same looming question, and I am compelled because of legal standards and ethical obligations; there’s certain things I simply can’t divulge, Kelly, in terms of why there was a change in counsel, why we stepped away and the public defender’s office stepped in and I will reiterate what I said in the press conference, which is, my team, me personally and my team, remain completely and utterly committed to Nick’s best interest.”
Jackson emphasized his ongoing commitment to Reiner’s best interests, promising to work towards securing the most comprehensive defense possible for the accused.
He noted, “I know he will be in the hands of the public defender’s office.”
Addressing rumors that financial issues were the reason for his withdrawal, Jackson clarified: “Something happened with my ability and my team’s ability to continue the representation, but I don’t want you, your audience, anybody else to start speculating as to what that might be. I have not said a word about it.”
“I said what I said at the press conference because it’s true. And I believe it in my heart, and I also said that my team and I remain and will continue to be completely committed to the best interests of Nick Reiner,” he affirmed.
Jackson concluded by expressing his reluctance to “get into specifics” about the reasons for his withdrawal, even if he were legally allowed to disclose them.