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Judge Postpones Nick Reiner Arraignment After Lawyer Withdraws

A Feb. 23 arraignment will follow the withdrawal of his private attorney.

Overview

  • Judge Theresa McGonigle approved attorney Alan Jackson’s exit at a Los Angeles Superior Court hearing and assigned deputy public defender Kimberly Greene to represent Nick Reiner.
  • Reiner remains jailed without bail on two counts of first-degree murder with special-circumstance allegations and a deadly-weapon enhancement, and he has not entered a plea.
  • Prosecutors have not decided whether to pursue the death penalty, with deputy district attorney Habib Balian leading the case.
  • After stepping down, Jackson told reporters he believes Reiner is not guilty of murder under California law, while declining to explain his withdrawal.
  • Separate reports say the Reiners’ longtime friend Nanon Williams received emails from the couple days after their deaths due to prison screening delays, including a message from Michele dated the night before the killings.