The high-profile murder case against Nick Reiner, the son of acclaimed director Rob Reiner, has hit a procedural snag. The 32-year-old's arraignment hearing was postponed on Wednesday after his defense attorney made a sudden request to withdraw from the case.
Sudden Withdrawal Delays Legal Proceedings
During an early morning hearing at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles on January 7, 2026, defense lawyer Alan Jackson asked the judge to be removed as counsel. This unexpected move came on the very day Nick Reiner was scheduled to enter a plea to two counts of first-degree murder.
The judge granted the request and rescheduled the arraignment for February 23. With Jackson's departure, the Los Angeles County Public Defender's office will temporarily represent Reiner. The office was reportedly informed of Jackson's decision late on Tuesday evening.
Contrasting Statements from Defense and Prosecution
Outside the courtroom, Alan Jackson made a brief statement, asserting his now-former client's innocence. "He is not guilty of murdering his parents," Jackson told reporters.
However, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman presented a starkly different outlook, expressing strong confidence in the prosecution's case. "We are fully confident that a jury will convict Nick Reiner beyond a reasonable doubt of the brutal murder of his parents Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner," Hochman stated.
A spokesperson for the Reiner family released a statement following the legal shift, saying, "They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings."
Background of a Tragic Case
The case stems from a horrific discovery on December 14. Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 74, were found dead in their West Los Angeles home on the afternoon before the first night of Hanukkah. Their son Nick was arrested hours later and formally charged with their murders two days after that.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined the couple died from "multiple sharp force injuries." Police allege Reiner used a knife, described as a "dangerous and deadly weapon."
Prior to the tragedy, Nick Reiner's struggles with addiction were reportedly known to his parents. In the weeks leading up to their deaths, the aspiring screenwriter had been living in a guesthouse on their property.
The Reiners are survived by their other children: Jake, 34; Romy, 27; and Tracy, 61—Rob Reiner's daughter adopted during his previous marriage to the late actress and director Penny Marshall.
The case continues to draw significant media attention as it moves through the California justice system, with the next key date set for late February.
