A dramatic shift unfolded inside a Los Angeles courtroom just moments before Nick Reiner was set to be arraigned on murder charges. His high-profile attorney, Alan Jackson, stepped away from the case without warning, forcing a delay in proceedings. Reiner, accused of killing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, will now be represented by a public defender. The sudden change adds another layer of tension to an already devastating case.
“We feel that we have no choice at this juncture, but to ask to be relieved,” Jackson told the judge.
No further explanation was offered in open court, and the judge granted the request. The sudden withdrawal came after whispers spread through the courthouse earlier in the day that Jackson might step away from the case. Those rumors appeared to gain traction when representatives from the Los Angeles County public defender’s office were seen outside the courtroom before proceedings began, as quoted in a report by the Los Angeles Times.
Following Jackson’s withdrawal, the public defender’s office formally stepped in. Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene was appointed to represent Reiner moving forward, as quoted in a report by the Los Angeles Times.
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The hearing unfolded in a packed Los Angeles courtroom, filled with members of the public and media observers drawn by the high-profile nature of the case. Nick Reiner, 32, appeared with his head shaved and dressed in a tan jail-issued jumpsuit.
Shortly after proceedings began, Jackson and his legal team entered Judge McGonigle’s chambers around 9:15 a.m. When they returned, several officials from the public defender’s office were seated in the front row. Jackson was then seen walking one of them over to speak briefly with Reiner, as quoted in a report by the Los Angeles Times and People.
Nick Reiner did not enter a plea during the hearing. Instead, due to the change in legal representation, the arraignment was postponed. The court rescheduled the proceeding for Feb. 23.
A spokesperson for the Reiner family released a statement following Jackson’s withdrawal, saying the family has “the utmost trust in the legal process” and would not comment further on the case, as quoted in a report by the People.
Nick Reiner is charged with two counts of murder in connection with the December stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70. The couple was found dead inside their Brentwood home on the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 14.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced at a Dec. 16 press conference that Reiner is expected to face two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders. Prosecutors also allege that a “dangerous and deadly” weapon, such as a knife, was used in the killings, as quoted in a report by the Los Angeles Times.
If convicted, Hochman said the charges could carry a possible sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty, due to the special circumstances involved. However, he emphasized that no final decision has been made regarding whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty, noting that the family’s wishes would be taken into consideration.
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According to a timeline released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the deaths occurred just hours after a reported confrontation between Rob Reiner and his son Nick at a Christmas party hosted by Conan O’Brien on Saturday night.
Two sources described the exchange as a heated argument, with one calling it a “big fight.” Several hours later, Rob and Michele Reiner were allegedly killed inside their home.
The discovery was made Sunday afternoon by the couple’s daughter, Romy Reiner, 28. PEOPLE reported that Romy fled the house after finding her father and initially did not realize her mother had also been killed. According to The New York Times, a paramedic later informed her that Michele Reiner was also deceased.
The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at the Brentwood residence around 3:40 p.m. local time. Both Rob and Michele Reiner were pronounced dead at the scene.
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Later that same night, Nick Reiner was arrested “without incident” near the campus of the University of Southern California, authorities said. He was booked on suspicion of murder and appeared in court for the first time last month.
During that initial appearance, Reiner did not enter a plea and appeared to be wearing a suicide prevention vest, typically issued to inmates considered at risk of self-harm.
Following the arrest, Romy Reiner and her older brother, Jake Reiner, 34, released a joint statement addressing the tragedy. They described the deaths of their parents as “horrific and devastating” and asked for privacy while urging the public to temper speculation with “compassion and humanity” as the legal process unfolds.
With a new attorney now assigned, the case is set to resume at Reiner’s arraignment on Feb. 23. At that time, he is expected to formally respond to the charges against him.
It remains unclear how Reiner’s personal struggles or mental health history may factor into the proceedings. For now, the focus remains on the serious charges he faces and the next steps in a case that has deeply shaken both the Reiner family and the broader Hollywood community.
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Why did Nick Reiner’s lawyer step down?
Alan Jackson told the judge his team had “no choice” but to withdraw, without giving further details in court.
Who is representing Nick Reiner now?
He is now represented by Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, and his arraignment has been delayed until Feb. 23.
Why did Alan Jackson withdraw from Reiner case?
Nick Reiner’s murder case took an unexpected turn Wednesday morning when famed defense attorney Alan Jackson asked to be relieved as counsel just ahead of Reiner’s scheduled arraignment. Jackson, who had represented Reiner at his initial court appearance following his arrest, made the request directly to Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa McGonigle.“We feel that we have no choice at this juncture, but to ask to be relieved,” Jackson told the judge.
No further explanation was offered in open court, and the judge granted the request. The sudden withdrawal came after whispers spread through the courthouse earlier in the day that Jackson might step away from the case. Those rumors appeared to gain traction when representatives from the Los Angeles County public defender’s office were seen outside the courtroom before proceedings began, as quoted in a report by the Los Angeles Times.
Following Jackson’s withdrawal, the public defender’s office formally stepped in. Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene was appointed to represent Reiner moving forward, as quoted in a report by the Los Angeles Times.
ALSO READ: US launches high-stakes operation to seize Venezuela-linked oil tanker after Atlantic pursuit-here's what this means for Russia and global oil
What happened in court during the brief hearing?
The hearing unfolded in a packed Los Angeles courtroom, filled with members of the public and media observers drawn by the high-profile nature of the case. Nick Reiner, 32, appeared with his head shaved and dressed in a tan jail-issued jumpsuit.
Shortly after proceedings began, Jackson and his legal team entered Judge McGonigle’s chambers around 9:15 a.m. When they returned, several officials from the public defender’s office were seated in the front row. Jackson was then seen walking one of them over to speak briefly with Reiner, as quoted in a report by the Los Angeles Times and People.
Nick Reiner did not enter a plea during the hearing. Instead, due to the change in legal representation, the arraignment was postponed. The court rescheduled the proceeding for Feb. 23.
A spokesperson for the Reiner family released a statement following Jackson’s withdrawal, saying the family has “the utmost trust in the legal process” and would not comment further on the case, as quoted in a report by the People.
What charges is Nick Reiner facing now?
Nick Reiner is charged with two counts of murder in connection with the December stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70. The couple was found dead inside their Brentwood home on the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 14.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced at a Dec. 16 press conference that Reiner is expected to face two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders. Prosecutors also allege that a “dangerous and deadly” weapon, such as a knife, was used in the killings, as quoted in a report by the Los Angeles Times.
If convicted, Hochman said the charges could carry a possible sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty, due to the special circumstances involved. However, he emphasized that no final decision has been made regarding whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty, noting that the family’s wishes would be taken into consideration.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Maya Angelou: 'Prejudice is a burden that …'— Top quotes by the world-famous author
How did investigators piece together the timeline?
According to a timeline released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the deaths occurred just hours after a reported confrontation between Rob Reiner and his son Nick at a Christmas party hosted by Conan O’Brien on Saturday night.
Two sources described the exchange as a heated argument, with one calling it a “big fight.” Several hours later, Rob and Michele Reiner were allegedly killed inside their home.
The discovery was made Sunday afternoon by the couple’s daughter, Romy Reiner, 28. PEOPLE reported that Romy fled the house after finding her father and initially did not realize her mother had also been killed. According to The New York Times, a paramedic later informed her that Michele Reiner was also deceased.
The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at the Brentwood residence around 3:40 p.m. local time. Both Rob and Michele Reiner were pronounced dead at the scene.
ALSO READ: Tommy Lee Jones' net worth as his daughter Victoria's cause of death is revealed
What happened after Nick Reiner’s arrest?
Later that same night, Nick Reiner was arrested “without incident” near the campus of the University of Southern California, authorities said. He was booked on suspicion of murder and appeared in court for the first time last month.
During that initial appearance, Reiner did not enter a plea and appeared to be wearing a suicide prevention vest, typically issued to inmates considered at risk of self-harm.
Following the arrest, Romy Reiner and her older brother, Jake Reiner, 34, released a joint statement addressing the tragedy. They described the deaths of their parents as “horrific and devastating” and asked for privacy while urging the public to temper speculation with “compassion and humanity” as the legal process unfolds.
With a new attorney now assigned, the case is set to resume at Reiner’s arraignment on Feb. 23. At that time, he is expected to formally respond to the charges against him.
It remains unclear how Reiner’s personal struggles or mental health history may factor into the proceedings. For now, the focus remains on the serious charges he faces and the next steps in a case that has deeply shaken both the Reiner family and the broader Hollywood community.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by William Wordsworth: 'Wisdom is oftentimes nearer…'— Top quotes by one of the founders of English Romanticism
FAQs
Why did Nick Reiner’s lawyer step down?
Alan Jackson told the judge his team had “no choice” but to withdraw, without giving further details in court.
Who is representing Nick Reiner now?
He is now represented by Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, and his arraignment has been delayed until Feb. 23.
