Nick Reiner’s arraignment for the first-degree murder of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, was postponed Tuesday until February following the withdrawal of his defense attorney, ABC News and KTLA reported.
The departure from the case on behalf of Alan Jackson, who in the past has represented the likes of Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, was announced during a hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court in which Reiner, 32, was expected to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
Reiner, who will now be represented by public defender Kimberly Green, faces two counts of first-degree murder in the death of his parents. The case involves “special circumstances,” making him eligible for the death penalty or, failing that, life in prison without the possibility of parole.
‘When Harry Met Sally’ director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner were found stabbed inside their Brentwood home on Dec. 14, and the Reiner family’s middle son was arrested a day later.
The couple was found by their daughter, who arrived at the house after a masseuse called to let her know her parents were not answering the door, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Rob Reiner case: His son Nick’s lawyer withdraws from case
Nick Reiner first appeared in court on December 17 wearing a blue suicide prevention gown, but his arraignment hearing was postponed to January.
At that time, Jackson explained to the media that Reiner had not received the proper medical clearance before being taken to the courthouse.
On Monday, People magazine reported that Nick Reiner was no longer on suicide watch at Twin Towers Correctional Center in downtown Los Angeles and is currently in solitary confinement.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that Reiner wore a brown robe and only participated in the hearing to accept a delay in his arraignment.
In December, media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times and KNBC reported that Reiner was being treated for schizophrenia prior to his parents’ murder.
In addition, Reiner had struggled for years with addiction and had spoken publicly about his challenges, reported Agencia EFE.
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