Nick Reiner's lawyer Alan Jackson withdraws from murder case
- - Nick Reiner's lawyer Alan Jackson withdraws from murder case
Bryan Alexander, Aysha Bagchi and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY January 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM
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Nick Reiner's lawyer, Alan Jackson, has stepped down from his high-profile murder case, which charges the 32-year-old with killing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.
The surprise withdrawal delays Reiner's case just as it was getting started. After an initial delay in December, Reiner was set to be arraigned on Wednesday, Jan. 7, a formal court process in which defendants are informed of the allegations against them and often enter a plea.
"We have no choice but to withdraw as counsel and ask to be removed," Jackson said in court after reminding Judge Theresa McGonigle of a discussion they had privately.
Jackson didn't explain what that discussion had involved or the reason for his withdrawal. USA TODAY has reached out to Jackson for comment.
Defense attorney Alan Jackson leaves the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles after Nick Reiner appeared in court, following charges over the deaths of his parents, director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, on Dec. 17, 2025.
The judge allowed Jackson to withdraw. A public defender, Kimberly Greene, asked in the courtroom for Reiner's arraignment to be delayed to Feb. 23.
Judge McGonigle subsequently asked Reiner if he agreed to that change. "Yeah, I agree to that," Reiner, 32, said in his only words during the swiftly changing proceedings. He soon stood up and was led out of the courtroom.
Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Los Angeles premiere on Sept. 9, 2025.
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Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Los Angeles premiere on Sept. 9, 2025.
">Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Los Angeles premiere on Sept. 9, 2025.
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Actor Tracy Reiner (second from left), honorees Carl Reiner and Rob Reiner, actor Michele Singer Reiner, writer Nick Reiner, and Romy Reiner attend the Carl and Rob Reiner Hand and Footprint Ceremony during the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival on April 7, 2017 in Los Angeles.
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Director Rob Reiner and family arrive at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005 in Hollywood, Calif.
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Director Rob Reiner and family arrive at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005 in Hollywood, Calif.
">Director Rob Reiner and family arrive at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005 in Hollywood, Calif.
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Rob Reiner and his family attend the premiere of the film "Kangaroo Jack" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Jan. 11, 2003, in Hollywood, Calif.
">Rob Reiner and his family attend the premiere of the film "Kangaroo Jack" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Jan. 11, 2003, in Hollywood, Calif.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.tKStaL5wJVuqc9vNeKVpg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xOTU1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/183f689aae052cb1598134d691e4ba27 class=caas-img>Frank Thomas and Rob Reiner and sons pose during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on Nov. 3, 2000.
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Frank Thomas and Rob Reiner and sons pose during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on Nov. 3, 2000.
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1 / 8Who is Nick Reiner, Rob Reiner's son? See photos
Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Los Angeles premiere on Sept. 9, 2025.
What is Rob Reiner's son Nick Reiner being charged with?
Reiner is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders, which enables prosecutors to seek the death penalty. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said on Dec. 16 that his office hasn't yet decided whether to do so.
Speaking outside of the Los Angeles courthouse in December, Jackson described the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner as a "devastating tragedy."
"There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case," Jackson said. "Things need to be thoroughly, but very carefully, dealt with and examined and looked at and analyzed."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nick Reiner lawyer Alan Jackson withdraws from murder case
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