Family of Nick Reiner Pulls Financial help for High Power Lawyer, He Quits
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| Nick Reiner was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. If he is convicted, he could face a life sentence without parole or the death penalty.Richard Shotwell/Invision, via Associated Press |
đŸ˜·đŸ™€$$$$$$ and Money Talks $$$$$ If I was part of the family I would have made the same decision. The killer of my parents getting the best defense both with the money of the victims was probably not seating well. I understand it entirely.. Nick Reiner's lawyer is a famous lawyer for a reputation of getting the best possible for his clients. He might of have gotten him off to a mental Hospital and entitled to release when he is declared cured. I am just speculating but Ive seen this happen and the Reiner family being involved in this man's defense would only feel salt is being added to the wounds. I think they want for him to get his defense but they don't want to be involved in helping out the man that killed their parents for no reason except bad temper and drugs. My heart goes out for this family.
Reporting from Los Angeles
New York Times
The high-profile criminal defense lawyer representing Nick Reiner removed himself from the case on Wednesday, a few weeks after prosecutors accused Mr. Reiner of killing his parents, the Hollywood director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
The significant departure was announced during a hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court, where Mr. Reiner, wearing a brown jumpsuit, was set to be arraigned on two counts of first-degree murder. It may suggest that the Reiner family — Nick has two siblings — has distanced itself from Mr. Reiner and his legal case, at least financially.
Mr. Reiner did not enter a plea on Wednesday but spoke once in court, saying he agreed to delay his arraignment.
He had been represented by Alan Jackson, a well-known lawyer whose clients have included Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey. Judge Theresa McGonigle assigned the case to Kimberly Greene, a lawyer in the Los Angeles County public defender’s office, and rescheduled his arraignment for Feb. 23.
After conferring with the judge in her chambers, Mr. Jackson said in the courtroom that “we feel we have no choice” but to withdraw from the case. In a news conference after the hearing, Mr. Jackson said he had been forced to do so because of circumstances beyond his control.
“Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder,” he said. “Print that.”
Nathan J. Hochman, the Los Angeles County district attorney, said in a brief news conference that he was confident a jury would ultimately convict Mr. Reiner for the “brutal murder of his parents.”
Mr. Reiner was arrested on Dec. 14, the same day his parents were found stabbed to death inside their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Rob Reiner, 78, was the director of beloved films including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally …” Michele Singer Reiner, 70, was a photographer and a producer. They had three children together: Jake, 34; Nick, 32; and Romy, 28.
Immediately after Mr. Reiner’s arrest, lawyers for the Reiner family arranged for Mr. Jackson to take his case, said a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The New York Times on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information. The person emphasized that the change in Mr. Reiner’s representation had nothing to do with Mr. Jackson’s performance and said that he had been a professional throughout the process.
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| In a statement to The Times, a spokesman for the Reiner family said, “They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings.” |
A man in a blue suit is surrounded by people holding microphones and cellphone cameras.
Alan Jackson, whose clients have included Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, said on Wednesday that “we feel we have no choice” but to withdraw from the Reiner case.Credit...Apu Gomes/Getty Images
The public defender’s office found out on Tuesday that it would be taking over Mr. Reiner’s case. Ms. Greene told reporters on Wednesday that she had spoken briefly with Mr. Reiner but not with his family.
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