Lawyers are considering why Nick Reiner’s best lawyer, Alan Jackson, was forced to withdraw from the murder case.
At Wednesday’s arraignment, Mr. Jackson, whose high-profile clients include Kevin Spacey and Karen Reid, told the judge that he had “no choice but to decline” due to “circumstances beyond our control” and “beyond Nick’s control.”
Lisa Bonner, an entertainment lawyer for California and New York, told Page Six that Jackson may have declined due to a “conflict of interest.”
“When you see him say, ‘We have no choice,’ and ‘circumstances beyond our control,’ that’s likely an ethical or legal conflict. You’d probably think it’s a conflict of interest,” Bonner said.
“If there are certain discrepancies, the lawyer must retreat,” the lawyer continued. “This could be something like an attorney or firm that previously represented someone involved in the case, such as a witness, a family member, or someone who may become a material party. That’s a situation beyond our and Nick’s control.”
“Judging by his careful wording, this is a conflict of interest.”
After the arraignment, Jackson told reporters, “My team and I remain deeply committed to Nick Reiner and his best interests. Indeed, we know, and are not only confident, that the legal process will uncover the truth of the circumstances surrounding this case.”
“Now that we know, you can take this to the bank, but according to the laws of this state, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Print that out!”
Bonner argued that Jackson was referring to the “legal default position” of being innocent until proven guilty.
“He is reaffirming the presumption of innocence,” Bonner believes. “He has not received an admission of guilt from Nick. He will continue to maintain all his defenses. Defense attorneys always say, ‘My client is innocent.’ This country is built on the presumption of innocence.”
Beverly Hills defense attorney Adam Michael Sachs agrees that the reason is likely a “conflict of interest” and believes he will hire a private attorney rather than his assigned public defender.
The New York Post quoted former California federal prosecutor Neema Rahmani as saying, “In the industry, we say Mr. Green never showed up. Alan Jackson is one of the best, but in a case like this, he’s going to prosecute at least a seven-figure vassal,” citing finances as a potential reason.
“Nick Reiner doesn’t have any money. If he had, he wouldn’t be living in his parents’ guest house. And under California murderer laws, if you kill your parents, you’re disqualified from your heirs.”
At his arraignment, Los Angeles County Public Defender Kimberly Greene was named his new attorney.
A new arraignment date was set for February 23rd. This is the second time his arraignment has been postponed.
Nick appeared in court wearing a brown jumpsuit, his hands and feet shackled, with a shaved head, beard, and sunken eyes.
As for the arraignment date, he said, “Oh, yeah, I agree with that.”
Representatives for Nick’s brothers, Jake and Romy Reiner, were not present at the hearing, but told Page Six in a statement Wednesday, “They have full confidence in the legal process and will not be commenting further on matters related to the legal process.”
Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on December 14th.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the couple’s cause of death was “multiple sharp trauma,” and ruled the cause of death a homicide.
Nick was arrested later the same day and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He could face up to life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
He is being held without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles.
