There is a new twist in the case surrounding murder of director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.
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Their son, Nick, was arrested and booked on Monday, Dec. 15, on suspicion of murdering his parents.
TMZ reports that as of today, Jan. 7, there has been a development regarding Nick's defense. The lawyer previously representing him, Alan Jackson, is no longer on the case. Stepping in as his new lawyer will be Kimberly Green, a public defender with 19 years of experience.
Nick appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom with a shaved head and wearing a tan jumpsuit. He did not enter a plea, and bail has not yet been set. As a result, he will return to jail.
Before the arraignment was rescheduled for Feb. 23, Jackson spoke to the judge. He then told the court that his team had "no choice" but to withdraw from the case.
Why Did Alan Jackson Withdraw From the Case?
Addressing speculation about the defense change, a source said it had nothing to do with Jackson's performance.
During a press conference, Jackson said that Nick "is not guilty of murder." He shared that the circumstances surrounding his departure from the case were beyond Nick's control.
A spokesperson for the Reiner family issued a statement about Jackson's withdrawal:
"They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings."
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said last month that Nick is expected to face two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders and a special allegation that he used a "dangerous and deadly" weapon, such as a knife.
If convicted of these charges, Nick could face a life sentence without parole. He could even face the death penalty.
However, per TMZ, Nick was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Issues with his medication could lead to a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
The Death of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner
Nick has had a well-documented battle with addiction. His struggles inspired his father's 2016 movie, Being Charlie, which Nick helped co-write.
The Saturday before their death, Nick attended a party hosted by Conan O'Brien with his parents. Some guests observed Nick and Rob arguing. Rob and Michele reportedly expressed their concerns about his health and behavior to guests.
Nick is also alleged to have interrupted a conversation between a guest and comedian Bill Hader. When Hader told Nick it was a private discussion, he paused and stared before "storming off."
Although Nick had been living at home with Rob and Michele, early Sunday morning, around 4:00 a.m., he checked into a hotel using his credit card. The reservation was for one night, but Nick never formally checked out.
Hotel staff found blood in Nick's room on Sunday morning. That afternoon, Rob and Michele were found dead. Nick was arrested a few hours later.
