The murder case against Nick Reiner hit an unexpected pause after a last-minute change in his legal representation delayed proceedings at the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Reiner, 32, was scheduled to enter a plea on January 7. Instead, the court postponed his arraignment to February 23. This change occurred after his attorney, Alan Jackson, withdrew from the case shortly before the hearing. Public defender Kimberly Greene immediately stepped in to assume his defence.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Greene confirmed she had spoken briefly with Reiner earlier that morning. She said he was aware of the sudden change in counsel. She added that her involvement began only hours before the scheduled arraignment.
NewsNation’s @connellmcshane and @jessecordweber discuss celebrity attorney Alan Jackson backing out of serving as counsel to Nick Reiner, whose arraignment was postponed until February.
More: https://t.co/Jo0XXgb4TX pic.twitter.com/DKeLxiyiRg
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) January 8, 2026Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder. The charges are in connection with the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, who were found stabbed at their home in Brentwood last month.
Read: Nick Reiner Arrested in Alleged Killing of Filmmaker Rob Reiner and Wife
When asked whether she had contacted members of the Reiner family, Greene said she had not. She explained that she had not communicated with them. She did not believe they were aware of the last-minute developments regarding the defence team.
Jackson also addressed reporters before Greene spoke. While declining to explain the reasons for his withdrawal, he said ethical and legal constraints prevented him from sharing details. Despite stepping aside, he maintained his position on Reiner’s innocence and said the legal process would ultimately reveal the truth.
Nick Reiner’s defense attorney, Alan Jackson, is withdrawing from the double murder case. A deputy public defender has taken over.
The 32-year-old faces a maximum sentence of life without parole or the death penalty for the murders of his parents.https://t.co/sxHFQiO8PR pic.twitter.com/GF9yiWZrP3
— Variety (@Variety) January 7, 2026Greene declined to comment on Jackson’s assertions. She said she would first discuss the case strategy directly with her client before determining the next steps.
If convicted on both counts, Reiner could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Alternatively, he could face the death penalty under California law. The case is now set to resume next month, with the court expected to formally address the charges once Reiner enters a plea.
