> At a Glance
> – Nick Reiner’s private counsel, Alan Jackson, formally withdrew in court on January 7
> – Plea entry postponed; new arraignment set for February 23
> – Public defender temporarily assigned as replacement counsel
> – Why it matters: The switch stalls proceedings for the high-profile double-murder case that has rocked Hollywood
Nick Reiner, 32, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday only to learn his lead attorney is off the case, pushing back his chance to respond to charges that he killed his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner.
Counsel Change Halts Plea
With attorney Alan Jackson no longer representing him, Reiner left the courthouse without entering a plea to two counts of first-degree murder with a special-circumstance allegation of multiple murders. The court rescheduled his arraignment out to late February.
A public defender will handle the matter until further notice, according to a reporter present for the hearing. Reiner’s family responded through the New York Times, saying only that they have “the utmost trust in the legal process” and will not comment further.
Case Background
- Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were found dead at their Los Angeles home on December 14
- Police arrested Nick Reiner near USC about six hours later
- The district attorney later added an allegation that he used a knife in the killings
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 14 | Bodies of Rob and Michele Reiner discovered |
| December 14 | Nick Reiner arrested near USC |
| December 16 | Charges filed, weapon allegation added |
| January 7 | Defense counsel withdraws |
| February 23 | New arraignment date |
Family and Friends React
Actress Jane Fonda, who saw the couple the night before their deaths, wrote on Instagram she was “reeling with grief” and “stunned.” The Reiners’ daughter, Tracy Reiner, told NBC News she was “in shock” and had “come from the greatest family ever.”
Cinematographer Barry Markowitz, a guest at the home in November, described a warm scene in which Nick helped with chores and appeared to be “on the upswing” after long battles with addiction.
Reiner’s Past Struggles
- Estimated 18 rehab stays between ages 14 and 19
- Cocaine relapse around 2017 led to what he called a “cocaine heart attack”
- Co-wrote 2015 film Being Charlie inspired by his recovery journey
Key Takeaways
- Private counsel exit forces delay in Nick Reiner’s plea
- Public defender now represents him as court date moves to February 23
- Hollywood continues mourning the loss of iconic director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele
As the case inches forward, the family is asking for privacy while prosecutors prepare to move ahead with the double-murder charges.
