Arraignment postponed for Nick Reiner in murder trial

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(The Center Square) – Nick Reiner, charged with murdering his parents Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, saw his arraignment postponed Wednesday after his second appearance in a downtown Los Angeles court.

The delay came when Reiner’s high-profile attorney Alan Jackson told Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa McGonigle that he had to withdraw from the case. Jackson, who has defended celebrities such as actor Kevin Spacey and producer Harvey Weinstein, didn’t give a reason. But he told reporters afterward Reiner is not guilty.

Reiner didn’t enter a plea. Instead his arraignment is now set for Feb. 23, at the request of Los Angeles County public defender Kimberly Greene.

Reiner, who has talked openly about his history of substance abuse and attempts at rehabilitation, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance for allegedly committing multiple murders. He also is charged with a special allegation of using a dangerous and deadly weapon. If he’s convicted of murder, he could get a life sentence without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman hasn't announced if he will seek the death penalty, but Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued a statewide moratorium on it.

The district attorney’s office has alleged Reiner, 32, stabbed Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, to death early in the morning of Dec. 14 at the couple's home in the affluent Brentwood area of Los Angeles. Nick Reiner lived with them.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office reported that the couple died from multiple sharp force injuries and that the manner of death was homicide.

Rob Reiner is known for everything from acting in the hit CBS sitcom “All in the Family” to directing popular movies such as “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally.” His father, Carl Reiner, was a writer, producer and actor who created the 1960s sitcom “The Dick Van Dyke Show," in which Carl Reiner had a recurring role as fictional TV variety show host Alan Brady.