Nick Reiner’s previous lawyer, Alan Jackson, is maintaining his former client’s innocence despite stepping away from the case.
Speaking to Billy Bush on the Tuesday, January 13, episode of his “Hot Mics” podcast, Jackson, who represented Nick, 32, as he faces two counts of first degree murder following the death of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, reiterated his stance.
“I believe in it. I believe exactly what I said. What I said is the truth. Under the laws of the state of California, he’s not guilty,” Jackson said. “It was important for me to make sure that the public understood that as I had to step away.”
The podcast statement comes following Jackson’s announcement after Nick’s Wednesday, January 7, court hearing that he believed in his former client’s innocence. “What we’ve learned, and you can take this to the bank, is that, pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder.”
The statement came just hours after Jackson revealed in court that he would be stepping down as Nick’s attorney. Nick is now represented by public defender Kimberly Greene. He did not enter a plea during the hearing and his arraignment was pushed to Monday, February 23.
Jackson’s doubling down comes after a Tuesday appearance on Sirius XM’s “Let’s Talk Off Camera With Kelly Ripa” podcast. Sharing insight into his decision to step away from Nick’s case, the high-profile attorney said that he was legally restricted in providing detail.
Alan Jackson Frederic J. Brown / AFP
“Everybody’s got that same looming question, and I am compelled because of legal standards and ethical obligations; there’s certain things I simply can’t divulge, Kelly, in terms of why there was a change in counsel, why we stepped away and the public defenders office stepped in,” he told Ripa, 55. “I will reiterate what I said in the press conference, which is, my team, me personally and my team, remain completely and utterly committed to Nick’s best interest. We always will be committed to his best interests. I want nothing but the best for him and I want him to get the most robust defense that he possibly can get. And I know he will in the hands of the public defender’s office.”
Jackson extended this sentiment during his “Hot Mics” interview, telling Bush, 54, that he and his team’s commitment to the best interests of Nick are “not going to change,” before addressing exit speculation related to his retainer of fees.
“You can’t say that, Billy. You can’t say that something happened with the retainer because I’ve never said that,” Jackson stated before later adding that he was “not going to get into the specifics of why it was necessary for me to withdraw.”
Rob and Michele were found dead with apparent stab wounds in their Brentwood, California, home on December 14, 2025. Nick was later arrested and charged with two counts of first degree murder. If he is convicted, he faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
Jackson, who has defended Karen Read, Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey in the past, served as Nick’s lawyer during his first court appearance three days after Rob and Michele’s bodies were discovered. At the time, he told reporters after the hearing that “there are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case.”
The comment came after Nick, who has been open in the past about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, appeared in court that day wearing a suicide prevention smock.
Jackson added during the December 17 post-hearing press conference, “These need to be thoroughly but very carefully dealt with and examined and looked at and analyzed.”
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