Overview
- Reiner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Dec. 14 stabbing deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, with autopsies citing multiple sharp-force injuries, and he remains held without bail at Twin Towers.
- High-profile attorney Alan Jackson withdrew in court, saying he had no choice and could not legally explain why, and Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene was appointed as the new counsel.
- Jackson publicly maintained that Reiner is not guilty under California law and the court rescheduled the arraignment to Feb. 23.
- Multiple outlets citing TMZ report Reiner was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder around 2020 and that a recent medication change preceded a severe mental decline without a psychiatric hold, a narrative legal observers say could inform an insanity or mitigation strategy.
- Legal experts point to finances or a conflict as likely reasons for Jackson’s exit, and reports say Reiner’s siblings oppose a death sentence as prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek capital punishment.