Kimberly Greenethe public defender takes over Nick ReinerIn this case, he is breaking his silence on the murder suspect’s change of lawyer.
“I spoke with Mr. Reiner briefly this morning,” Greene, who was joined by the Los Angeles County public defender. Ricardo Garcia outside Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, Jan. 7, he said while taking questions after Reiner’s attorney Alan Jackson he gave up on the murder case.
“It was my understanding that there would be a change of counsel,” Greene continued. “We haven’t had any in-depth conversations.”
Greene later clarified that his interaction with Reiner, 32, lasted about 30 seconds.
Nick Reiner’s attorney, Alan Jackson, has spoken out after withdrawing from the case. “As you know, this morning, I had to withdraw as Nick Reiner’s attorney,” Jackson said after Nick’s court hearing on Wednesday, January 7. “Circumstances beyond our control, but more importantly, circumstances beyond Nick’s control, have dictated that, unfortunately, that has made it impossible (…)
Nick was charged with two counts first degree murder after his parents, Rob i Michele Reinerwere found dead of apparent stab wounds in their home in Brentwood, Calif., last month. (Rob and Michele, 78 and 70, respectively, also shared children Jake, 34, and Romy. Rob also adopted a grown daughter, Tracy, 61, during his marriage to his late ex-wife. Penny Marshall.)
The accusation was supposed to take place Wednesday morning, and Nick is expected to announce his plea. With the sudden change of lawyer, the the complaint has been delayed to February 23.
Asked if he had spoken to the Reiner family, Greene said, “I haven’t.” A similar question was raised about the Reiner family, to which he reiterated, “We haven’t had any contact with the family. I don’t think they knew this was going on.”
The public defender took the podium minutes after Jackson confirmed he was walking away from the case. Nick faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty if convicted.
“I’m legally and ethically prohibited from explaining all the reasons why, I know it’s a question on everyone’s mind,” Jackson said of his departure. “We expect the public defender to step in, they’ve already been appointed, and he’s very carefully protecting Nick Reiner’s interests as he moves through the system.”
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman spoke to the press after Nick Reiner’s recent court appearance. “In our criminal justice system, all defendants have a right to an attorney who will zealously represent their interests and do so effectively,” Hochman, 62, said at a news conference outside the courthouse on Wednesday, Jan. 7. “It’s also Nick (…).
Jackson continued, “In fact, we know, not only are we convinced, we know that the legal process will reveal the true facts of the circumstances surrounding Nick’s case. What we have learned, and you can take this to the bench, is that under California law, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder.”
A reporter asked Greene what he thought of Jackson’s claim that Nick is not guilty, to which he replied, “We’re going to discuss it with Mr. Reiner and see how we proceed.” He also explained that “it is not unusual for private lawyers to transfer cases” to public defenders.
When asked when the public defender’s office learned they would be stepping in for Jackson for the rest of the case, Garcia revealed, “I think last night or yesterday we found out we were being replaced.”
Also during the press conference, Garcia stated, “I want to say, on behalf of the entire public defender’s office, we are very sorry and understand the pain and suffering that the Reiner family is going through right now, as well as the entire Los Angeles community. The public defender’s office and all the staff, our hearts go out to the entire family at this time. We hope that we also understand the challenge for the entire family. We ask for your patience, your understanding as we We are navigating this process through the legal system and that we will be available to answer your questions when needed.
In a separate statement a Us Weeklyreiterated Garcia, “The Office of the Public Defender recognizes what an unimaginable tragedy this is for the Reiner family and the Los Angeles community. Our hearts go out to the Reiner family as they navigate this difficult time. We ask for your patience and compassion as the case moves through the legal process, as these matters are complicated and require careful consideration.”