Nick Reiner returned to court Monday and formally denied accusations that he murdered his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, inside their Brentwood home late last year.
According to Fox News, the plea marked the first major courtroom step since a dramatic change in his legal representation, after prominent defense attorney Alan Jackson abruptly withdrew from the case.
Jackson told reporters he was forced to step aside because of factors he said were outside both his and his client’s control.
“Circumstances beyond our control, but more importantly, circumstances beyond Nick’s control have dictated that,” Jackson said. “Sadly, it’s made it impossible for us to continue our representation of Nick. I’m legally, and I’m ethically prohibited from explaining all the reasons why.”
Even as he exited the case, Jackson maintained his former client’s innocence.
“We’ve investigated this matter top to bottom, back to front,” he said. “What we’ve learned — and you can take this to the bank — is that pursuant to the laws of this state, pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder.”
Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene has now taken over the defense. She spoke briefly with Reiner after Jackson’s departure and said he understood there would be a transition.
Prosecutors have charged the 32-year-old with two counts of first-degree murder. He remains in custody at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.
Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead in their Brentwood residence on Dec. 14. Investigators from multiple agencies searched for their son for several hours before arresting him near the University of Southern California later that evening.
The case has drawn attention beyond legal circles. Conan O’Brien, who hosted a holiday gathering attended by the couple and their son the night before their deaths, described the shock of learning what had happened.
“I knew Rob and Michele, and then increasingly got closer and closer to them, and I was seeing them a lot,” he said. “My wife and I were seeing them a lot, and they were so — they were just such lovely people. And to have that experience of saying good night to somebody and having them leave and then find out the next day that they’re gone.”
“I think I was in shock for quite a while afterward,” he added. “It’s just very — it’s so awful. It’s just so awful.”
Through a spokesman, the Reiner family said they have “the utmost trust in the legal process” and will not comment further while the criminal case proceeds.
