Nick Reiner’s attorney Alan Jackson has withdrawn from the case, TMZ reports.
Jackson appeared in court on Wednesday, Jan. 7, where he informed the judge that he is no longer representing Nick.
““We would ask to withdrawal as counsel of record. We have no choice but to withdraw and ask to be relieved,” Jackson told Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa McGonigle, according to Page Six.
“Uh, yeah, I agree with that,” Nick replied before leaving the courtroom.
Nick is now being represented by a public defender named Kimberly Greene, the outlet added.
This comes on the day of Nick’s scheduled arraignment. The arraignment has now been delayed once again, with Page Six saying that it is set for Feb. 23.
The reason for Jackson stepping down is unknown at this time, but the family is expected to release a statement “as soon as the proceedings are over.”
Nick is currently facing charges in the murder of his parents. He initially appeared in court on Dec. 17 and waived his right to enter a plea, which is why the arraignment was pushed back to January. The BBC reported that the only three words he said in court were “yes, your honor,” when asked about his decision not to go with the speedy trial.
Reiner Family Releases Statement After Alan Jackson Steps Down
A spokesperson for the Reiner family released a statement.
“They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings,” they told the New York Times.
The source further added that lawyers for the Reiner family arranged for Jackson to take the case after Nick was arrested, adding that the change has nothing to do with Jackson’s “performance” and he has been “a professional throughout the process.”
Latest Update on Nick Reiner’s Status in Prison
Ahead of his arraignment on Jan. 7, PEOPLE reported that Nick has been taken off suicide watch at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles. Since he’s been in prison, Nick has been held in solitary confinement and on safety watch, with a police source telling PEOPLE in December that he is required to wear a blue suicide-prevention smock at all times.
However, in the new report, PEOPLE says that the suicide-prevention smock has been removed. But, according to a Los Angeles County sheriff source speaking to the outlet, Nick will remain in High Observation Housing (HOH) “unless a judge or a court hearing determines otherwise and will continue to be monitored and housed alone.”
Could Nick Reiner Enter an Insanity Plea?
TMZ further reports that “it’s likely Nick will eventually plead not guilty by reason of insanity.” This comes after the outlet previously reported that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia before this tragedy, adding that the medication he was taking was making him “erratic and dangerous.”
“Two sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Nick was under the care of a psychiatrist for mental illness,” the outlet wrote. “We’re told in the month before the murders, Nick’s behavior had gotten ‘alarming.’” And with that, “3 to 4 weeks before the murders, doctors changed his meds, and he became even more erratic.” While doctors tried to adjust his medication, “it wasn’t working.”
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BREAKING: Major Update in Nick Reiner Case