Defense Counsel Withdraws in Nick Reiner Murder Case; Deputy Public Defender Assigned, Arraignment Postponed to Feb. 23
Nick Reiner's attorney withdrew; Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene now represents him. He remains jailed without bail and his arraignment is postponed to February 23.
Overview
Nick Reiner, son of Rob and Michele Reiner, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances in their December 14 Brentwood deaths; prosecutors allege a preceding argument.
High-powered defense counsel withdrew from the case; the court accepted the withdrawal and Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene was assigned to represent Reiner going forward.
Reiner remains held without bail; arraignment has been postponed to February 23. He previously appeared shackled wearing a suicide-prevention smock and did not enter a plea.
Judge Theresa McGonigle approved restricted courtroom cameras, barred photography of Reiner, and sealed a list of ten outstanding subpoenas cited by the defense for further consideration.
Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian has not decided on seeking the death penalty; the defense maintains Reiner is not guilty, and California law presumes innocence.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a high-profile legal drama by emphasizing celebrity connections, procedural delay and contrasting strong prosecutorial language with forceful defense assertions. Editorial choices—naming the attorney’s past high‑profile clients, noting Rob Reiner’s estimated wealth, and highlighting the defendant’s courtroom demeanor—foreground spectacle, suspicion and legal contention.
Sources (21)
FAQ
Nick Reiner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders and an allegation that he used a deadly weapon, a knife; if convicted as charged, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, though prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek death.
Nick Reiner’s original attorney, Alan Jackson, told reporters he had to withdraw due to circumstances beyond his and his client’s control, and beyond Nick’s control specifically, but he declined to provide further details about those circumstances.
Nick Reiner is now represented by Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, who has been assigned as lead counsel after the court accepted the withdrawal of his prior defense team and will handle his case going forward.
Sources have indicated that law enforcement and defense attorneys have been working to piece together Nick Reiner’s psychiatric and substance abuse history, and friends told investigators his mental health had been deteriorating prior to the alleged murders, with a documented history of addiction and substance abuse treatment.
Nick Reiner’s arraignment has been postponed to February 23, when he is expected either to enter a plea—potentially including a not-guilty or not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity plea—or face further delay, after which the case would normally proceed toward a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to go to trial and may also involve evaluation of his mental competence.
History
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