Nick Reiner back in court to face murder charges

All eyes are on Nick Reiner as he appears in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday for the third time since facing charges for allegedly killing his well-known parents in their luxurious $20 million Brentwood home.

The arraignment is anticipated to be brief as he enters a plea, but according to a legal expert consulted by The Post, his public defender, Kimberly Greene, might seize this opportunity to begin establishing an insanity defense.


Here’s the latest on the death of Rob Reiner:


“Introducing a mental health defense early on is strategic,” explained lawyer Royal Oakes, “as delaying it might weaken the argument’s credibility later. People might question, ‘If his mental state is so severe, why wasn’t this raised sooner?’”

The defense could potentially argue that Reiner lacks the capacity to comprehend the legal proceedings. “They might invoke a competency challenge. Doing so could halt the case and initiate psychiatric evaluations,” Oakes elaborated.

Furthermore, the behavior Reiner exhibited at Conan O’Brien’s holiday gathering, just hours before the tragic event, could significantly influence the strength of an insanity plea, especially given the presence of A-list celebrities who witnessed it.

Party attendees recalled a heated argument between Reiner and his parents, noting that he was also disrupting conversations during the celebration.

“Did Reiner, hours before the murders, seem obnoxious but cogent, or did he seem disconnected from reality? That’s the essence of the insanity test in California.” said Oakes.

But Greene has no obligation to raise the issue at the arraignment, which is mostly procedural and not where evidence is argued.

“The defense is absolutely free to plead not guilty now and keep its mental health strategy under wraps. There’s no requirement that they tip their hand at this early stage,” the attorney said.

So far, Reiner’s plea has been postponed twice. The first was when hotshot lawyer Alan Jackson entered the case and wanted more time to talk with his client.

Jackson dropped out of the case in court seven days later, that move further derailed a plea and put Greene in the driver’s seat as head attorney on the case.

The December 14 murders of Rob and Michelle Reiner shocked Hollywood to its core. Nick Reiner was arrested the day after the bloody bodies were discovered.

He’s been locked up in LA’s county jail with no bail ever since his arrest.


Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!


You May Also Like
Vicious rattlesnake goes berserk after child spots it in preschool playhouse

Rattlesnake Found in Preschool Playhouse After Child Spots It

As California faces what specialists describe as an unusually severe surge in…
UFC Fighter Sean Strickland Escorted Out of UFC Fan Fest Event

Sean Strickland Escorted Out of UFC Fan Fest: What Happened at the Shocking Event?

UFC middleweight Sean Strickland was escorted from a UFC fan fest event…
Trump calls 'incredible' UFC event 'one of the most exciting days in the history' of the White House

Trump Hails UFC Event as One of the White House’s Most Exciting Days

President Trump praised Sunday night’s “UFC Freedom 250” event on the White…
Oil and gas supplies could take months to return to normal after Iran deal, energy experts say

Energy Experts Warn Iran Deal May Take Months to Restore Global Oil and Gas Supplies

NEW YORK — A newly announced agreement to end the Iran war…
Sisters, including one 9 months pregnant, allegedly stabbed and hurled hot oil at Detroit restaurant worker

Detroit Restaurant Worker Allegedly Attacked by Sisters, Including 9-Months-Pregnant Woman, in Stabbing and Hot Oil Assault

Two Michigan sisters are accused of violently attacking a restaurant employee in…
Knicks celebrations: School bus set on fire, multiple people arrested, 17-year-old shot in New York City after NBA win over Spurs

Knicks Celebration in New York City Turns Chaotic: School Bus Torched, Multiple Arrests, Teen Shot After Win Over Spurs

Chaos broke out late Sunday as celebrations over the New York Knicks’…
America's wounded, struggling veterans get brand-new homes built by Florida teens

Florida Teens Build New Homes for Wounded Veterans in Need

Young people in Florida are stepping up to support those who have…
Israel fears Trump weary of ‘highly suspicious’ Netanyahu and could 'flip' amid Iran deal: analyst

Report: Israel Concerned Trump May Turn on Netanyahu Amid Iran Deal Tensions

Trump calls out Netanyahu over Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets Escalating tensions…
NYPD boss Jessica Tisch praises cops for hard work during Knicks victory celebrations

Jessica Tisch Applauds NYPD Officers for Keeping Knicks Victory Celebrations Safe and Under Control

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised officers for their response Saturday night as…
Beauty mogul Anastasia Soare says she could have only built her eyebrow empire in America

How Anastasia Soare Built Her Eyebrow Empire in America—and Why It Couldn’t Have Happened Anywhere Else

Through July 4, The Post, in partnership with the Milken Center for…
Carolina Hurricanes beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 to win the Stanley Cup

Hurricanes Shut Out Golden Knights in Game 6 to Clinch Stanley Cup Title

The Carolina Hurricanes captured their first Stanley Cup title in 20 years…
Anti-G7 protest turns violent as demonstrators torch Tesla and smash UN office windows

Anti-G7 Protest Erupts in Violence as Demonstrators Burn Tesla, Shatter UN Office Windows

Protesters in Geneva set a Tesla ablaze and shattered windows at a…