Frank Rondel
Nick Reiner appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday without entering a plea in the case involving the alleged killings of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner, as his privately retained attorney formally stepped aside from the defense, reports Customreceipt with reference to ABC News.
The 32-year-old defendant, charged with two counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders, stood behind protective glass during the hearing. He was dressed in a dark jail-issued jumpsuit and had his hair cut short. When the court asked whether he consented to another delay of the arraignment, Reiner responded affirmatively, allowing the proceedings to be postponed once again.
During the same appearance, defense attorney Alan Jackson notified the court that he was withdrawing from the case. Jackson, who previously played a role in the defense of Karen Read in Massachusetts, is now subject to a protective order prohibiting him from discussing any aspects of the matter publicly. Following his withdrawal, the court appointed public defender Kimberly Green to represent Reiner going forward.
The judge scheduled Reiner’s next court appearance for February 23. He remains in custody at the Los Angeles County jail without the possibility of bail. A spokesperson for the Reiner family stated that the family has full confidence in the judicial process and declined to provide additional comments regarding the ongoing legal proceedings.
Reiner’s first brief court appearance took place on December 17, when he waived his right to a speedy arraignment. Since that hearing, sources familiar with the investigation told ABC News that authorities and defense counsel have been reviewing records related to Reiner’s mental health history and prior treatment for substance abuse as part of their preparations.
According to investigators, Nick Reiner has a documented background of addiction and participation in rehabilitation programs. Friends interviewed by law enforcement reportedly said that his mental health had shown signs of deterioration in the period leading up to the deaths. Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death inside their Brentwood residence on December 14.
Sources further indicated that on the evening before the killings, Nick Reiner, who had been residing on his parents’ property, was involved in a dispute with his father during a holiday gathering. Witnesses at the event reportedly observed him behaving erratically. He was taken into custody in downtown Los Angeles several hours after the bodies were discovered.
In a statement released last month, Rob and Michele Reiner’s other children, Jake and Romy Reiner, described the loss as overwhelming and expressed gratitude for the support they had received. They asked for privacy and compassion while emphasizing their wish for their parents to be remembered for their lives, values, and the relationships they shared.
Earlier we wrote that US Public Broadcasting Faces Closure as Corporation for Public Broadcasting Votes to Dissolve.