Nick Reiner was seen on surveillance camera before his arrest.
The moments before Nick Reiner’s parents were found dead in their Brentwood home and arrested were captured on surveillance video.
LOS ANGELES — Nick Reiner’s attorney, Alan Jackson, has stepped down from a high-profile murder case in which he charged the 32-year-old with killing his parents, Rob Reiner and Michelle Reiner.
The sudden withdrawal delayed Reiner’s case just as it was about to begin. Mr. Reiner’s arraignment, which was scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, after an initial delay in December, is a formal court process in which defendants are informed of the allegations against them and, in many cases, enter a plea.
“I have no choice but to resign as a lawyer and seek dismissal,” Jackson told Judge Theresa McGonigle in court, after reminding him of his private discussions.
Mr. Jackson did not explain the nature of the discussion or the reason for his withdrawal. USA TODAY has reached out to Jackson for comment.
The judge allowed Jackson to recuse himself. Public defender Kimberly Green asked the court to postpone Reiner’s arraignment until February 23.
Judge McGonigle then asked Reiner if he agreed to the change. “Yes, I agree with that,” Reiner said, his only words in the fast-moving proceedings. He quickly stood up and was led out of the courtroom.
Green said later outside the courtroom that he spoke briefly with Reiner, who said he “understands there will be a change of attorneys,” but that there was no “deep conversation.”
Alan Jackson says Nick Reiner is ‘not guilty’ of murdering his parents
Even though Jackson withdrew from the screenwriter’s case, he remained supportive of Reiner outside the courtroom.
The lawyer did not provide details about what led to his resignation, citing legal restrictions, but acknowledged there were “circumstances beyond our control” and “more importantly, circumstances beyond Nick’s control.”
“I want to be clear on this: My team and I remain deeply committed to Nick Reiner and his best interests,” Jackson said. “We know that the legal process will reveal the true facts of the circumstances surrounding this incident.”
Alan Jackson criticizes media investigation into wife Rob Reiner’s murder
Jackson also took aim at the media scrutiny surrounding Reiner and his famous family following the deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner, stressing that he and his team “examined this matter from top to bottom.”
“What we learned is that you can take this to the bank, but according to the laws of this state, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder,” Jackson said. “Please print it out and we wish him luck.”
Meanwhile, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters that his office will work with public defenders on Reiner’s case. He declined to answer questions about whether his office would seek the death penalty.
“We are completely confident that the jury will convict Nick Reiner beyond a reasonable doubt of the brutal murders of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner,” Hochman said.
What crime has Rob Reiner’s son Nick Reiner been charged with?
Reiner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders, allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said on Dec. 16 that his office has not yet decided whether to do so.
Speaking outside a Los Angeles courthouse in December, Jackson called the deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner a “devastating tragedy.”
“This case involves very complex and serious issues,” Jackson said. “Things need to be handled, investigated, observed and analyzed thoroughly but very carefully.”
This story has been updated to add new information.
