LOS ANGELES (NewsNation) — As Nick Reiner faces charges in the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, scrutiny is growing about how he will pay for his legal defense.
Under California’s “Slayer Statute,” Nick Reiner would be barred from inheriting his parents’ estate if convicted of killing them. The law prohibits anyone convicted of “intentionally killing” someone from receiving money from the victim’s estate.
However, state law allows a defendant access to certain funds for legal defense before a conviction.
Nick Reiner retains high-profile defense attorney
Nick Reiner has retained prominent defense attorney Alan Jackson, whose past clients include Kevin Spacey, Harvey Weinstein and most recently, Karen Read. Before entering private practice, Jackson worked as a prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and was part of the team that prosecuted Phil Spector.
Jackson is widely reported to charge upward of $2,000 an hour, though he has declined to comment on how he was retained in this case.
Nick Reiner is believed to have been living rent-free in a guest house on his parents’ Brentwood estate —one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the country. With no public record of steady employment, questions have grown about how he is funding his defense.
California’s “Slayer Statute” prohibits anyone convicted of “intentionally killing” someone from inheriting from the victim’s estate or benefiting from wills or trusts. Regardless of the outcome of this case, Rob and Michele Reiner’s estate — estimated at $200 million — cannot legally pass to Nick Reiner if he is found guilty.
Nick Reiner made a brief court appearance on Wednesday wearing a suicide prevention vest. He has spoken publicly about long-standing struggles with addiction and periods of homelessness, including more than a dozen stays in rehabilitation facilities. Those experiences loosely inspired the film “Being Charlie,” which Nick co-wrote and Rob Reiner directed.
That history could become a factor in his defense.
“There are very complex and serious issues associated with this case,” Jackson said. “Those need to be thoroughly, but very carefully, dealt with.”
What happened to Rob and Michele Reiner?
Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday with apparent stab wounds.
Rob Reiner and his son reportedly argued at a Christmas party the night before.
Nick Reiner was arrested later that night and booked on charges of murder. He remains in custody without bail, according to online records from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Relatives are reportedly using estate funds to retain Jackson, viewing psychiatric confinement as preferable to a potential life sentence or, if charged federally, the possibility of the death penalty. Authorities have not confirmed those reports.
What’s next in Nick Reiner’s case?
Nick Reiner’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 7, when he’s expected to enter a plea on two counts of first-degree murder.
His arraignment was initially scheduled for this week, but Jackson requested a delay to allow the defense more time to review evidence and assess issues in the case. It remains unclear whether Reiner will enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.