Nick Reiner has requested a court to allow him access to a trust fund established by his parents. He argues that the funds are necessary for his defense against charges of killing them. According to recent court filings, Reiner claims he is owed the money long before the alleged incident occurred.
Reiner, aged 32, is seeking $558,000 from the trust that was supposed to be disbursed three years ago. His aim is to rehire Alan Jackson, a prominent criminal defense attorney, to counter the charges for the alleged murder of Rob and Michele Reiner at their Brentwood home last December. The filing has outlined that any attempt to restrict access to these funds would be unconstitutional. Reiner argues that it blocks a ‘presumed-innocent man’ from his ‘own untainted money’ before a trial that will determine his freedom.
The case details were first reported by NBC. Alan Jackson, who initially served as Reiner’s lawyer but was replaced by the L.A. County Public Defender’s Office, has not provided any comments. Earlier this year, Reiner began legal proceedings to gain access to the funds. However, the trust managers argue that California’s Slayer statute prevents him from inheriting or financially benefiting from his actions.
Reiner challenges the applicability of the Slayer statute, stating that he has not been convicted, and the funds were due on his 30th birthday in September 2023, predating the murder accusations. His legal team emphasizes that the matter involves money specifically allocated for Reiner, with predetermined disbursement dates at ages 30 and 35, separate from the broader family estate.
The alleged murder occurred on December 14, with Reiner accused of stabbing his parents at night. His sister, Romy, found their bodies, leading to Reiner’s arrest in Exposition Park 12 hours later. A grand jury has indicted him on murder charges and an allegation of planning an ambush.
Reiner has entered a not-guilty plea and, if convicted, may face a life sentence. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has announced the death penalty will not be pursued. The court will hear Reiner’s request to access the trust funds on October 23.
Joshua Ritter, a former prosecutor, suggests Reiner might be correct about the Slayer law’s inapplicability due to a lack of conviction. However, Ritter also notes the possibility of existing safeguards in the trust, considering Reiner’s documented drug and mental health issues. ‘The guy was a total wreck,’ Ritter states, indicating potential discretionary measures in the trust’s establishment.
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