Lawyers are weighing in on why Nick Reiner’s high-powered attorney, Alan Jackson, was forced to quit his murder case.
At Wednesday’s arraignment, Jackson — whose high-profile clients include Kevin Spacey, Karen Reed and others — told the residing judge he had “no choice but to withdraw” due to “circumstances beyond our control” and “beyond Nick’s control.”
California and New York entertainment lawyer Lisa Bonner told Page Six that Jackson could’ve withdrawn due to a “conflict of interest.”
“If you look at his phrases, ‘We have no choice’ and ‘circumstances beyond our control,’ that’s likely an ethical or legal conflict. I would most likely say it’s a conflict of interest,” Bonner said.
“A lawyer must withdraw if there are certain conflicts,” the lawyer continued. “This could be something like the attorney or the firm previously representing someone involved in the case — a witness, family members, or someone who could be a key party. That would be circumstances beyond our control and Nick’s.
“Judging from his carefully worded statement, I would say it’s a conflict of interest.”
After the arraignment, Jackson told reporters, “My team and I remain deeply, deeply committed to Nick Reiner and to his best interest. In fact, we know — we are not just convinced — we know that the legal process will reveal the true facts of the circumstances surrounding this case.
“We’ve learned, and you can take this to the bank, is that pursuant to the law in this state, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder — print that!”
Bonner claimed Jackson was referring to “the legal default position” of innocent until proven guilty.
“He’s reaffirming the presumption of innocence,” Bonner believes. “He’s not gotten any admission of guilt from Nick. He’s preserving all the defenses going forward. A defense lawyer always says, ‘My client is not guilty.’ This country is built on the presumption of innocence.”
Beverly Hills defense attorney Adam Michael Sacks agreed the reason is likely “conflict of interest,” and believes he will hire a private lawyer, as opposed to proceeding with the public defender he was assigned.
The New York Post attributed the potential reason to finances, as Neama Rahmani, a former California federal prosecutor, said, “In the business, we say Mr. Green didn’t show up. Alan Jackson is one of the best, but for a case like this, he’s going to charge at least a seven-figure retainer.
“Nick Reiner doesn’t have the money, if he did, he wouldn’t be living in his parents’ guesthouse. And under the California Slayer Statute, you kill your parents — you’re disinherited.”
At the arraignment, Los Angeles County public defender Kimberly Greene was named as his new lawyer.
A new arraignment date was set for Feb. 23. This is the second time his arraignment has been delayed.
Nick arrived to court with a shaved head, facial hair and sunken eyes, as he wore a brown jumpsuit and had shackles at his hands and feet.
He said, “Uh, yeah, I agree with that,” regarding the arraignment date.
A rep for Nick’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner — who did not attend the hearing — told Page Six in a statement Wednesday, “They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings.”
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on Dec. 14.
The LA County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the couple died from “multiple sharp force injuries” and ruled the manner of death a homicide.
Nick was arrested later the same day and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
He is being held without bail at Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles.
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