Nick Reiner’s former attorney insisted his ex-client was “not guilty” after stepping away from Reiner’s case tied to the stabbing deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
Attorney Alan Jackson made the remark during a press conference outside a Los Angeles courthouse following Nick Reiner’s court appearance on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
“Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder,” Jackson said. “Print that.”
Jackson did not explain why he was withdrawing, saying only that it stemmed from circumstances outside both his and Reiner’s control.
Reiner had been scheduled to be arraigned on murder charges related to his parents’ deaths, but the hearing was postponed after Jackson’s withdrawal. He is now expected to be arraigned on Feb. 23 and will be represented by a public defender. He has not entered a plea.
Reiner appeared in court on Wednesday with a shaved head and wearing a tan jumpsuit. He was not wearing the suicide-prevention smock he had on during his first appearance.
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead inside their family home on Sunday, Dec. 14, and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office attributed their deaths to multiple sharp force injuries.
Nick Reiner was arrested hours later. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, along with a special allegation that he used a “dangerous and deadly” weapon such as a knife.
After the hearing, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman also spoke publicly, saying he was confident a jury would find Reiner guilty, while emphasizing that the defendant is entitled to proper legal representation.
The Reiner family released a statement after Jackson’s withdrawal, saying through a spokesperson: “They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings.”
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner met while he was directing When Harry Met Sally…, which was released in 1989. They had three children together: Jake, Romy and Nick.
Rob Reiner also adopted a daughter, Tracey, during his first marriage to the late actress and director Penny Marshall.
