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Nick Reiner’s defense attorney, Alan Jackson, had “no choice” but to withdraw from the case Wednesday in what was supposed to be Nick’s first arraignment of the year.
Jackson cited circumstances beyond his and Nick’s control to explain why he abruptly gave up defending Nick against double murder charges in the stabbing death of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner.
“Circumstances beyond our control, but more importantly, circumstances beyond Nick’s control dictated this,” Jackson said at a news conference outside the courthouse. “Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to continue to represent Nick. Legally and ethically, I am prohibited from explaining any reasons why.”
Criminal defense attorney and Fox News contributor Joshua Ritter believed Jackson’s hasty withdrawal from the case indicated money problems.
NICK REINER LOST ATTORNEY ALAN JACKSON IN PARENT MURDER CASE
Alan Jackson has withdrawn from representing Nick Reiner as defense attorney. (Getty Images/Mona Edwards)
“It sounds like it was just a mutual separation due to the inability to retain a private attorney and therefore his only option was to end up with a public defender,” Ritter told Fox News Digital.
Outside the courthouse, Jackson remained adamant that Nick was “not guilty” of his parents’ murder.
“We looked into this case from top to bottom, top to bottom,” Jackson said. “What we have learned – and you can tell the bank about this – is that, under the laws of this state, under California law, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder.”
Jackson arrived at the Reiner home less than 24 hours after the discovery of the couple’s bodies. Shortly after, he signed on to represent Nick.
Jackson defended Karen Read, accused of hitting her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, with his car and leaving him to die during a snowstorm. She maintained her innocence throughout two criminal trials, the first ending in a hung jury, before ultimately being found not guilty of murder and manslaughter in the second.
“Sometimes in these situations you have to act quickly if you want an attorney at that first hearing because you only have 48 hours before they go to court,” Ritter said. “So it is not uncommon for lawyers and clients to reach an agreement on paper, but not exactly on the transfer of funds before a lawyer appears in court.”
Alan Jackson speaks to the media outside Los Angeles Superior Court. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
Nick Reiner appeared in court Wednesday wearing a beige jumpsuit. (Mona Edwards)
Seth J. Zuckermanrenowned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Zuckerman Legal Group and former New York City prosecutor, told Fox News Digital, “It’s likely that whoever paid the initial retainer on Nick Reiner’s behalf is not willing to continue funding the defense. There may be other issues at play, but we will never know, because Jackson has an ethical responsibility not to disclose.”
Zuckerman noted the three reasons a criminal defense attorney would walk away from a case, including financial problems, a conflict of interest or a conflict with the client over strategy.
ROB REINER, WIFE MICHELE’S MURDER CASE likely hinges on son’s mental competence: EXPERTS
“If Jackson claims that circumstances beyond Nick’s control dictated his withdrawal, then we can rule out the third hypothesis,” Zuckerman said.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani agreed that money — or lack of it — was most likely the reason Jackson quit.
Nick Reiner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. (Laura Cavanaugh)
“In the business, we say Mr. Green didn’t show up. Nick can’t pay Jackson. It would be a seven-figure retainer, and he doesn’t have the money. If he did, why would he be living in his parents’ guest house? Maybe his siblings considered paying Jackson but changed their mind.”
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He added: “The other possibility is that they disagree on case strategy. But then another private attorney would step in for the public defender’s office. Nick has a chance, but not a good one. Jackson or a public defender will have the same problems with the case.”
Rahmani also explained that under California’s killer law, a child who kills his or her parents cannot inherit their estate.
Nick Reiner faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Teen Vogue)
“This means they cannot enter into a will, trust, life insurance or act as any other type of beneficiary,” Rahmani said. “The law presumes that the murderer predeceased their parents. A murder conviction in criminal court is enough to trigger the rule. A probate judge can also apply it. Non-traditional assets like intellectual property can be held in separate LLCs or trusts; the analysis is the same. The murderer heir will not inherit as a matter of law.”
The 32-year-old was charged in December with two counts of first-degree murder and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. He remains in custody at Twin Towers Correctional Center after being formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the stabbing deaths of his parents.
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Kimberly Greene, the assistant public defender assigned to the case, spoke briefly with Nick Wednesday morning. “He understood there would be a change of attorney,” she said. “We haven’t had in-depth conversations.”
Ritter insisted the public defender’s office is “well qualified” to handle Nick’s case.
Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene was assigned Wednesday to represent Nick Reiner. (Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via Pool)
“They handle these types of cases all the time, and they also have the resources to hire…they have investigators who can work on their behalf,” Ritter said. “I’m not trying to take anything away from the representation Alan Jackson may have made on his behalf, but I don’t think it’s devastating to his chances.”
A spokesperson for the Reiner family told Fox News Digital: “They have the utmost confidence in the legal process and will not make any further comment on matters related to the legal proceedings.”
Christina Dugan Ramirez of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
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