Courtroom Stunner: Nick Reiner's Attorney Quits

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Courtroom Stunner – Nick Reiner's Attorney Quits

Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes
Producer: iHeartPodcasts

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Main Theme

This episode unpacks the unexpected legal twist in the high-profile double murder case involving Nick Reiner, accused of killing his parents, Rob and Michelle Reiner. The central focus: Nick’s prominent defense attorney, Alan Jackson, abruptly quit the case just before Nick’s long-delayed arraignment, shocking both the public and the court.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Delayed Arraignment

• Case Background: Nick Reiner, age 32, stands accused of fatally stabbing his parents on December 14. Nearly a month later, his arraignment keeps being postponed due to pending plea decisions and now, legal representation issues.
  • Amy Robach (01:41): “We were all waiting for this arraignment hearing, this long awaited arraignment hearing. It's almost been a month since Rob and Michelle Reiner were brutally stabbed to death… and what we found out was what we weren't expecting at all.”
• Expectation vs. Reality: Anticipation centered on whether Reiner would plead “not guilty by reason of insanity,” given recent leaks about his mental health.

2. Attorney Alan Jackson Quits—A Shock to Courtroom and Public

• Alan Jackson’s Reputation: Known for high-profile defenses (Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey), Jackson’s withdrawal was highly unexpected.
  • TJ Holmes (02:24): “Even if you don't know who this lawyer is, you know, this lawyer… He's that LA dude… So when we heard that Nick Reiner had hired this guy, like, wow, what defense is he gonna come up with?”
• No Clear Reason for Exit:
  • The courtroom was not given reasons.
  • Jackson cited legal and ethical prohibitions on disclosing why he quit.
    • Amy Robach (05:39): “‘I am legally and I am ethically prohibited from explaining all the reasons why. I know that's a question on everybody's mind.’”
• Speculation on Money and Family Support:
  • Reports in the New York Times suggest the Reiner family may have withdrawn financial support, which would leave Nick unable to retain Jackson.
    • Amy Robach (03:16): “This move may suggest that the family has distanced itself from Nick Reiner and his legal case, at least financially.”

3. Defense Strategy in Limbo

• Insanity Defense:
  • Leaked reports point to Nick’s diagnosis of schizophrenia and adjustments to his medication just prior to the murders.
    • Amy Robach (04:46): “It seemed as though… they were setting up the possibility of… an insanity defense. But now we are left with no answers.”
• Attorney’s Post-Exit Statement:
  • Jackson told reporters Nick Reiner “is not guilty of these charges,” but provided no context or details.
    • TJ Holmes (04:15): “But he, this lawyer came out after stepping down, said to reporters outside that Nick Reiner is not guilty of these charges. What does he mean by that?”

4. Courtroom Atmosphere & Nick Reiner’s Demeanor

• Emotional Moment:
  • Nick was described as “on the verge of tears”—notable, since many high-profile defendants appear emotionless.
    • Amy Robach (07:24): "He had a newly shaved head… But what was most interesting… described as on the verge of tears during this particular court appearance..."
• Mixed Reports on Behavior:
  • Some headlines described him at one point smirking, but overall, he seemed highly emotional during the hearing.
    • TJ Holmes (08:38): “I saw several headlines… that described him at some point having a smirk on his face… Everybody had an opinion and an observation about what they saw in that room.”

5. The Media Frenzy

• Heightened Public Interest:
  • Massive press presence at the courthouse.
  • Technical delays in the hearing led to even more intense speculation and focus, as cameras lingered on the assembled media.
    • Amy Robach (09:08): “I had pulled up the live camera… they kept showing the press… This was as large of a gaggle of press as you could imagine.”

6. Procedural Updates: Next Steps in the Case

• Replacement Counsel:
  • With Jackson gone, Nick is assigned a public defender at least through the next hearing.
  • There is concern whether a public defender can adequately take on such a heavy, high-stakes case.
    • TJ Holmes (12:23): “He's going to need another lawyer. This is a double homicide case with a possibility of the death penalty.”
• Delay in Proceedings:
  • Next arraignment set for February 23 (13:14)
  • Nick remains jailed without bail; earlier delays linked to mental health concerns.
    • Amy Robach (13:29): “Yes. We were basically told he wasn't ready even to be in a courtroom.”
• Death Penalty Possibility:
  • Prosecutors could pursue it, but family input might affect that decision.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On courtroom shock:
  • TJ Holmes (02:24): "The judge said okay and allowed him to remove himself as counsel of records. So Nick Reiner case… has a public defender right now…"
• On possible financial motive for attorney’s exit:
  • Amy Robach (03:16): “…if Nick Reiner didn't have the financial support of his siblings… then he is left without the ability to pay a high profile attorney…”
• On Alan Jackson’s silence:
  • Amy Robach (05:39): “Alan Jackson said this specifically: ‘I am legally and I am ethically prohibited from explaining all the reasons why. I know that's a question on everybody's mind.’”
• On defense attorney ethics:
  • Amy Robach (06:03): “If he was willing to take on Harvey Weinstein, it’s hard to imagine that somehow he wouldn’t ethically be able to take on Nick Reiner.”
• On Reiner’s emotional state:
  • Amy Robach (07:24): “…he was described as on the verge of tears during this particular court appearance… And yes, they described him as very emotional… when you see someone… accused of murdering his parents… you can understand as a human why he would feel emotional…”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:41 — Amy sets scene: waiting for Nick Reiner’s plea at the arraignment
• 02:24–03:16 — Attorney Alan Jackson quits and speculation on family’s financial support
• 04:15–05:39 — Potential insanity defense and attorney’s cryptic exit statement
• 07:24–08:38 — Nick’s appearance and emotions in court; media’s varied observations
• 09:08–09:57 — Media spectacle at the courthouse; public’s fascination
• 12:23–13:48 — Public defender assigned, possible death penalty, and new court dates

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Conclusion: Where This Leaves the Case

The episode closes with more questions than answers. With a new public defender, an unexplained attorney exit, and an emotional, high-profile defendant, the stage is set for a complicated, closely watched legal battle. The next arraignment, delayed again, is set for February 23, 2026. The hosts emphasize the enduring tragedy for the victims and note the intense media and public interest that will only grow as the case moves forward.

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Transcript

[Amy Robach]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Podcast Narrator]

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[TJ Holmes]

Sl advisor hey there folks. It is Wednesday, January 7th, and the news keeps coming on this day, Nick Reiner is not guilty according to his ex lawyer. Try to piece that together on what was a pretty stunning day in court. Welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ Robes. The the death of Rob Reiner and his wife was December 14th. Do I have that right?

[Amy Robach]

Correct.

[TJ Holmes]

So here we are. It's been several weeks, he still hasn't entered a plea and we thought we were finally going to hear it today. And then boom, he needs a lawyer.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, we were all waiting for this arraignment hearing, this long awaited arraignment hearing. It's almost been a month since Rob and Michelle Reiner were brutally stabbed to death. And so yes, we were waiting to hear is Nick Reiner going to plead not guilty by reason of insanity or give some sort of indication as to where his defense was going? A lot of folks were waiting to hear what we would find out. And what we found out was what we weren't expecting at all, that his high profile LA attorney who represented Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey and just so many other high profile folks is now no longer representing Nick Reiner.

[TJ Holmes]

And we don't know why, don't know why. But he came in and told the judge had had no choice in the matter, had to be done. The judge said okay and allowed him to remove himself as counsel of records. So Nick Reiner case, this high profile, this big of a deal, double murder, has a public defender right now and that public defender is Going to be the one who stays with him. At least through the arraignment, it sounds like. Don't know if he'll get another lawyer. But robes this. Even if you don't know who this lawyer is, you know, this lawyer, he's that LA dude, right? There's just some LA lawyers who represent high profile folks. He looks every bit that part with the suit and he's just that guy. So when we heard that Nick Reiner had hired this guy, like, wow, what defense is he gonna come up with? Because we knew it was gonna be something.

[Amy Robach]

Yes. And when you have that kind of a lawyer with that kind of a name and that kind of look, hailing from la, you know it's going to that kind of money because not everybody can hire Alan Jackson to defend them. And it turns out now it looks like we don't know the official reason why he stepped away. But I did tell you, I was reading in the New York Times and I think this is interesting. This is how they put it. It may suggest that the Reiner family, Nick has two siblings. Of course, we know that they spoke out after the deaths of their parents. They say that this move may suggest that the family has distanced itself from Nick Reiner and his legal case, at least financially. They're suggesting this was a money issue. And if Nick Reiner didn't have the financial support of his siblings, or at least members of the Reiner family who do have access to money, then he is left without the ability to pay a high profile attorney. That is one possibility.

[TJ Holmes]

This is going to be expensive and this is going to go on for months, could be years, that you need this representation. And I was surprised when he got this guy, but I was so curious to hear what he was going to come up with. And we thought maybe some breadcrumbs were being put out there for an insanity defense. But he, this lawyer came out after stepping down, said to reporters outside that Nick Reiner is not guilty of these charges. What does he mean by that?

[Amy Robach]

There have been a lot of reports that have been leaked out about Nick Reiner's diagnosed or schizophrenia diagnosis that happened within the last couple of years, that he was on medication, that his medication had just been adjusted or changed in the weeks leading up to the deaths of his parents. And so it seemed as though with these probably specifically positioned leaks of information, they were setting up the possibility of, yes, some sort of an insanity defense, that he was off his meds, that he is schizophrenic, that he did not know what he was doing, that seemed like that was where it was headed. But now we are left with no answers. Alan Jackson said this specifically. I am legally and I am ethically prohibited from explaining all the reasons why. I know that's a question on everybody's mind.

[Podcast Narrator]

Why.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah.

[Amy Robach]

Why are you now leaving?

[TJ Holmes]

And I actually don't know. I mean, attorney, client, something in there, some agreement. He can't speak on it. But I'm so curious. Can you not just say, look, he couldn't afford me. You don't want to come out and say that, but it might be the case. Is there some other conflict of interest going on behind the scenes? Did he decide, you know what? I can't help you. Not I can do. Who knows?

[Amy Robach]

I will. And we were talking about that. And, you know, you remember Alan Jackson represented Harvey Weinstein. That's probably one of the more despicable clients that he had in terms of what a lot of people look at when they see who defense attorneys take on. So if he was willing to take on Harvey Weinstein, it's hard to imagine that somehow he wouldn't ethically be able to take on Nick Ryan. And that defense attorneys always say every single person in this country, regardless of what they're accused of, as heinous as it is, deserves a fair trial. So I think most attorneys will absolutely swear by that. And I'm sure Alan Jackson is of that same opinion because that is what defense attorneys do. They get into the business knowing they're going to have to hold their nose sometimes and maybe take some incoming for people questioning. How could you defend someone like xyz? So it's. I, I doubt, I highly doubt that someone of his stature would shy away.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah.

[Amy Robach]

From a case. This. Because of the notoriety of it.

[TJ Holmes]

I give you that for sure. This is how you earn your money. This is how you get all the cameras on you and you show what you can do. So, yes, this is the arena that these guys live for. So surprised. Surprised he got hired in the first place and then surprised. This was a shocker today because we were expecting something different. He was in court today. I think you read more about the descriptions of what Nick Reiner, how he appeared in court today.

[Amy Robach]

Yes. So those who were in the courtroom described him as. He had a newly shaved head. He had a five o' clock shadow. But what was most interesting to me is he was described as on the verge of tears during this particular court appearance where his attorney was saying, I am no longer representing Nick Reiner. And he was assigned this Public defender. And yes, they described him as very emotional, which look, we have. It just seems like in recent years, months, we've covered these high profile cases and court hearings and even trials. And one of the things that always stands out is so many of these defendants are emotionless. So when you see someone and look, he is accused of murdering his parents, I can't think of anything much worse than that or murdering members of your own family. You can understand as a human why he would feel emotional, but he didn't appear to be that way beforehand. Who knows what's going on? Who knows if this was about his attorney, if maybe remorse has set in, if he is guilty of the crimes he's accused of, if maybe he feels now like his whole family has turned their back on him. Who knows what's going on? But it was described, he was described as being on the verge of tears.

[TJ Holmes]

And the only. I saw several headlines as well that described him at some point having a smirk on his face. Right. So look different. A bunch of reporters in that room and everybody had an opinion and an observation about what they saw in that room. But this is now robes. This is where do we go? Because this is now the new trial of the year kind of a situation here and already we already seeing how complicated it might end up being.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, I was waiting for this arraignment hearing at 11:30 in the morning. I had pulled up the live camera on my computer and they kept showing the press that was sitting outside because they had nothing else to show because things were getting delayed. People didn't know what was going on. We weren't getting worried about what was happening. So the cameras were pointed at the media. And this was as large of a gaggle of press as you could imagine. So yes, this is a huge spectacle. There is so much public interest in this and most of it is in understanding the why and what happened. And now there's another why. There's another why. Why is your lawyer now no longer able to defend you? And even more mysteriously, hearing the lawyer say, I can't ethically tell you why, that's even more confusing.

[TJ Holmes]

But also came out and said, my ex client is not guilty. So not the day we were expecting, but a day of headlines out of there. But in all of this, of course, there are two victims, Rob and Michelle Reiner. Everybody keeping them in their thoughts these days. But we did hear from the family in a brief statement today. We'll tell you exactly what they said and we'll tell you the next time. Nick Reiner is expected to be in court. Stay here.

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[Amy Robach]

Welcome back everyone. We are talking about another developing story with a twist that we weren't expecting. Nick Reiner was supposed to finally enter a plea. He finally had his arraignment hearing following the murders of his parents in December. December 14th. In the early hours of December 14th, that is when police say Rob and Michelle Reiner were brutally stabbed. They have charged The Reiner's son, 32 year old Nick with their murders. And today, yes, we were expecting a plea of some sort. We were supposed to hear what he had to say. We might, we thought we might get the first idea of what his defense could look like. But his high powered, high profile attorney Alan Jackson told the court in a very shocking statement that he was no longer going to be representing Nick. And a lot was made of what was happening inside that courtroom. Something of note in, I believe in just the last couple of days leading up to this arraignment hearing, there were some things that had happened for Nick that seemed positive. He was taken off of suicide watch. He didn't have that suicide vest on him like we had seen him in before. He had been in solitary confinement. So it seemed as though perhaps maybe even his mental state was improving and we were going to start to see his defense form. And instead we got a very, very different situation in court today.

[TJ Holmes]

He's going to need a different lawyer. We've covered cases where people are winning on appeals or at least making a case during appeal that I didn't have good representation. And we've seen some public defenders just have. Look, I got another load of work over here that's paying me more money than you're paying me for being a public defender and not putting a lot of time. He's going to need another lawyer. This is a double homicide case with a possibility of the death penalty. We don't know yet, but he's been charged with special circumstances. Will at least allow the prosecutors to pursue the death penalty if they want I think the hold up, at least as far as everything I've read, is don't know if the family, they want to check to see if the family is on board with the death penalty. And by all accounts, no, they wouldn't be. So maybe that's why we don't have that answer yet. But we have another, what, month and a half before he's in court again?

[Amy Robach]

February 23rd. Now is his new arraignment. I mean, he was supposed to be arraigned almost immediately after he was arrested. That got postponed and it was. Did you get the sense that it was something about mental health issues?

[Podcast Narrator]

Oh, yeah.

[Amy Robach]

Yes. We were basically told he wasn't ready even to be in a courtroom. So it was postponed till today, January 7. And now this new delay until February 23. So we will not hear him arraigned, hear his plea. We won't get any of that now for another, what, almost six weeks?

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah. And he sits. He is not getting bail, so he will have to stay in jail. That certainly makes sense in a case like this. But. But yes, folks, we wanted to hop on, give, give this update. It's been a day of developments today, unexpected ones, but we got our eyes on it all. We always appreciate you listening to us. And again, top right corner on your Apple podcast app where you see our show page, you click follow and you can get our updates. And we might have a couple more. It appears today. And with that, always appreciate you spending some time with us. I'm TJ Holmes on behalf of Amy Robach. We'll talk to you all soon.

[Amy Robach]

This is an iHeart podcast, Guaranteed Human.