Why Nick Reiner’s Former Lawyer Believes He’s ‘Not Guilty’ of Murdering His Parents

The January 7 arraignment of Nick Reiner turned out to be just as shocking as the crime he’s accused of committing.

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer’s youngest son has been charged with their murders, but it was the lawyer switch that shocked everyone. Prior to Wednesday’s scheduled arraignment, high-profile lawyer Alan Jackson was representing Nick. In a stunning turn of events, he withdrew as the attorney for the 32-year-old, who was assigned public defender Kimberly Greene.

Even with his dismissal, Jackson had some pointed words for the press outside a Los Angeles courthouse.

“What we’ve learned, and you can take this to the bank, is that, pursuant to the laws of this state, pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder,” he explained to reporters, via CBS News. “Print that. Print that.”

Jackson, who previously represented Kevin Spacey, Harvey Weinstein, and Karen Read, was forced to withdraw from the case for “circumstances beyond our control, but more importantly, circumstances beyond Nick’s control.” Still, he insisted that Nick was “not guilty” of the crime.

While the reasons for Jackson’s withdrawal were likely financial, the attorney seemed to be leaning into the idea that Nick could not be found guilty due to his mental state.

“The defense in this case is likely mental health,” attorney Seth Zuckerman speculated to the New York Post, even though he’s not involved with the case. “The defense would look to argue that [Reiner] had a diminished capacity to form the intent necessary for the murder charges based on his mental health or substance abuse history.”

Even with Jackson out, it’s quite possible that Greene will probably angle for an insanity defense.

“It’s almost certain that the defense here will be an insanity defense as opposed to one of innocence,” Criminal defense attorney Mark Bederow told the media outlet. “If he literally stabbed his parents to death but did not appreciate the nature of his conduct or know right from wrong — he would not be literally innocent, but he would be legally not guilty.”

Rob and Michele were stabbed to death in their Brentwood, California home on December 14 after attending Conan O’Brien’s holiday party with their son. At the festivities, Rob and Nick allegedly got into a verbal altercation and left the event soon after. Nick lived in the couple’s guesthouse on the property, but was spotted wandering around Los Angeles after they were killed.

Nick faces life in prison, and the possibility of the death penalty if he’s convicted. The new arraignment date is February 23.

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