Topics: Rob Reiner, Crime, US News
The former lawyer for Nick Reiner has spoken out after deciding to withdraw himself from the murder case.
Reiner, 32, is accused of stabbing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, to death after they were found deceased in the bedroom of their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles last month.
He has since been charged with first-degree murder and appeared in court last week as part of a hearing at the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Reiner waived his rights to enter a plea for the crimes he's accused of, while it was also confirmed in the hearing that Reiner's legal representation, Alan Jackson, had opted to remove himself from defending him.
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"Circumstances beyond my control, but more importantly circumstances beyond Nick's control, have made it impossible for us to continue our representation," Jackson told reporters outside of court.
"I'm legally and ethically prohibited from explaining the reasons why."
Jackson, who has previously represented the likes of Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, explained on Sirius XM's Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa why he decided to remove himself from Reiner's case.
He began: "Everybody’s got that same looming question, and I am compelled because of legal standards and ethical obligations; there’s certain things I simply cant divulge, Kelly, in terms of why there was a change in counsel, why we stepped away and the public defender's office stepped in and 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."
Jackson went on to say he will 'always be committed' to Reiner's best interests, stating he will attempt to get the suspect 'the most robust defense that he possibly can get'.
The lawyer added: "I know he will be in the hands of the public defender’s office."
Dismissing suggestions he pulled out because of money issues, Jackson told host Billy Rush on the Hot Mics podcast on Monday (January 12): "Something happened with my ability and my team’s ability to continue the representation, but I don’t want you, your audience, anybody else to start speculating as to what that might be. I have not said a word about it.
"I said what I said at the press conference because it’s true. And I believe it in my heart, and I also said that my team and I remain and will continue to be completely committed to the best interests of Nick Reiner."
Jackson concluded by saying he doesn't want to 'get into specifics' about why his team had decided to withdraw.
