Alan Jackson removes himself as Nick Reiner's attorney in murder case

"A judge on Wednesday delayed Nick Reiner's arraignment in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, after his high-profile defense attorney asked to be replaced by a public defender. Judge Theresa McGonigle agreed to attorney Alan Jackson's request during a Los Angeles Superior Court hearing where Nick Reiner was expected to be arraigned and enter a plea 3 1/2 weeks after the beloved actor-director and his wife of 36 years were found dead with stab wounds in their home in the upscale Brentwood section of Los Angeles. Jackson did not say why he wanted to leave the case."

"Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene then took over as Nick Reiner's attorney, and the judge delayed arraignment until Feb. 23. During his brief appearance, Reiner spoke only to agree to the delay. Reiner stood behind glass in a custody area of the courtroom wearing brown jail garb and with his hair shaved. Two deputies stood behind him. Jackson and his team stood in front of him on the other side of the glass. At one point, Reiner stood on his tiptoes to peer over the lawyers' heads to look at the audience."

"McGonigle approved the use of cameras inside the courtroom but said pictures could not be taken of the defendant. Nick Reiner, 32, the third of Rob Reiner's four children, has been held without bail since his arrest last month. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He also did not enter a plea during a brief first court appearance Dec. 17, when he wore shackles and a suicide prevention smock. He was not wearing that smock Wednesday."

Judge Theresa McGonigle postponed Nick Reiner's arraignment until Feb. 23 after defense attorney Alan Jackson requested to be replaced by a public defender. Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene assumed representation. Reiner made a brief appearance and spoke only to agree to the continuance. He stood behind courtroom glass in jail garb with shaved hair while deputies and his former attorney's team were present. Cameras were allowed but photography of the defendant was barred. Reiner, 32, has been held without bail and faces two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

Read at Boston.com