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Nick Reiner will now be represented by a public defender after his private attorney abruptly withdrew from his case just moments before a scheduled court appearance in Los Angeles.
The 32-year-old, who is charged in connection with the stabbing deaths of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, was expected to be arraigned on Wednesday. Instead, the hearing was postponed after defense attorney Alan Jackson asked the court to step away from the case.
Reiner appeared in court wearing a tan jail uniform, his head closely shaved, but did not enter a plea. Following a private discussion with the judge, Jackson announced that his legal team had "no choice" but to withdraw. The arraignment has now been rescheduled for February 23.
Outside the courtroom, Jackson declined to elaborate on the reason for his departure, citing legal and ethical restrictions. He said circumstances beyond his and his client's control made continued representation impossible.
With Jackson's exit, the case has been handed over to the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office. Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene has been assigned to represent Reiner moving forward.
In a brief statement issued after the hearing, a spokesperson for the Reiner family said they have "the utmost trust in the legal process" and will not comment further as proceedings continue.
Prosecutors allege that Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were killed in the early morning hours of December 14 inside their Brentwood home. Both were found later that afternoon and pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say Reiner was arrested without resistance several hours later near the University of Southern California.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has charged Reiner with two counts of first-degree murder, along with a special circumstance allegation involving multiple victims and the use of a deadly weapon. If convicted, Reiner could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or, potentially, the death penalty. Prosecutors have said no final decision has been made regarding capital punishment.
Authorities have not publicly identified a motive. However, investigators have confirmed that Reiner was involved in a heated argument with his father at a holiday party the night before the killings.
In a joint statement released last month, Reiner's siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, described the loss of their parents as "horrific and devastating," adding, "Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing."
As the legal process continues, the court has emphasized the importance of allowing the case to proceed without speculation, while the family has asked for privacy and compassion amid an ongoing tragedy.
