> At a Glance
> – Attorney Alan Jackson withdraws from representing Nick Reiner in the alleged double-murder of his parents
> – Nick, 32, will now be represented by public defender Kimberly Greene
> – Arraignment delayed after the switch; no plea entered
> – Why it matters: The high-profile case could bring life without parole or death penalty if convicted
The courtroom drama surrounding Nick Reiner intensified when veteran defense lawyer Alan Jackson stepped aside, leaving the 32-year-old to rely on a public defender as he faces charges for the fatal stabbings of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70.
Attorney Change in Court
Appearing in a tan jail jumpsuit with a shaved head, Nick sat silently in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday, Jan. 7, while Jackson met privately with the judge. When the brief conference ended, Jackson formally withdrew and Kimberly Greene of the public defender’s office took over, according to confirmation from News Of Los Angeles.
- Jackson had represented Nick at his first court hearing following arrest
- No plea was entered; arraignment was postponed
- The public defender’s office will handle the case for now
Timeline of the Alleged Crime
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sat., Dec. 14 | Father and son argue at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party; parents leave early |
| Sun., Dec. 14, ~3:40 p.m. | Romy Reiner, 28, finds her father dead; paramedics later discover Michele also killed |
| Sun., Dec. 14, ~9 p.m. | Nick arrested without incident near USC campus |
| Mon., Dec. 16 | DA Nathan Hochman announces two counts of first-degree murder with knife-use and multiple-victim special circumstances |
Hochman said the charges could expose Nick to life without parole or capital punishment, though no decision on seeking the death penalty has been made and the family’s views will be considered.
Family Response
Jake Reiner, 34, and Romy released a joint statement on Dec. 17:
> “The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day.”
They asked for privacy and urged the public to temper speculation with compassion as the legal process unfolds.
Key Takeaways
- Alan Jackson‘s withdrawal forces Nick Reiner to rely on a public defender for the murder case
- Prosecutors filed two first-degree murder counts with special circumstances, raising the stakes to life without parole or death
- A father-son dispute at a celebrity holiday party preceded the fatal stabbings by hours
- Siblings Jake and Romy publicly mourn their parents while bracing for trial
The case now moves toward arraignment under new counsel as the Reiner family and prosecutors prepare for what could become one of California’s most closely watched murder trials.
