The defense attorney representing Nick Reiner has stepped down from the case weeks after allegations surfaced that Reiner killed his parents.
The 32-year-old offspring of Rob and Michele Reiner is charged with fatally stabbing them last month. He attended a court session on Wednesday at the Los Angeles Superior Court as part of the proceedings.
During this session, where Reiner did not enter a plea for the accusations, it was disclosed that his attorney, Alan Jackson, decided to withdraw from defending him.
Jackson is a notable figure in U.S. legal circles, having defended high-profile clients such as Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey. The Reiner family initially requested his representation for the case.
According to the New York Times, the switch in Reiner’s legal representation does not reflect Jackson’s abilities as an attorney. Jackson commented, “we feel we have no choice” but to step back from the case.
No further details have been provided regarding the decision to withdraw.
Due to the change in legal representation, Judge Theresa McGonigle has rescheduled Reiner’s arraignment for February 23 and has appointed Kimberly Greene, a public defender, to handle the case.
The Reiner family released a statement saying, “They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings.”
Reiner faces two charges of first-degree murder following the discovery of his parents’ bodies in their Brentwood, Los Angeles residence on December 14.
The couple was believed to have been killed in the afternoon, with Nick Reiner being arrested six hours later on suspicion of the crime.
Given the nature of the charges, if found guilty, Reiner could face life imprisonment or possibly the death penalty, though the latter is unlikely due to Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2019 moratorium on executions in California, which has paused the death penalty process in the state.
During Reiner’s first court appearance on December 17, Jackson, who was still on the case, agreed to postpone the arraignment to examine more evidence, citing ‘very complex and serious issues associated with this case.’
In a statement on January 7, Ricardo D. Garcia, L.A. County Public Defender, acknowledged the tragedy, saying his office “recognizes what an unimaginable tragedy this is for the Reiner family and the Los Angeles community.”
The statement continued, “Our hearts go out to the Reiner family as they navigate this difficult time. We ask for your patience and compassion as the case moves through the legal process, as these matters are complicated and require careful consideration.”