Hollywood Tragedy: Nick Reiner Arrested in Connection with Parents' Double Homicide; Too unhealthy to appear for arraignment; Retains high-profile criminal defense attorney Alan Jackson.
Methamphetamine, heroin, detox, homelessness, another double murder slashing in Brentwood, and the return to the courthouse where OJ Simpson was acquitted.
The manhunt for Nick Reiner ended not in the exclusive Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood where he was raised, but under the harsh lights of the Exposition/Vermont Metro Station. Surrounded by U.S. Marshals on a Sunday night, the 32-year-old son of legendary director Rob Reiner was taken into custody, marking the grim next chapter in a tragedy that has shaken Los Angeles to its core.
LAPD’s Narcotics and Gangs Division released the photos of Reiner’s arrest on Instagram (instragram@lapd_gnd) but deleted the post.
The Expo/Vermont Metro Station is about a 30 minute drive from Brentwood, without traffic.
Reiner processed at Twin Towers Correctional Facility
Following a coordinated effort by the LAPD Gang and Narcotics Division and the U.S. Marshals Service, Nick Reiner, 32, was located and arrested at the Exposition/Vermont Metro Station near USC at 9:15 p.m. on Sunday.
The timeline of his processing reveals a long night within the criminal justice system. Reiner was booked into Los Angeles County Jail at 5:04 a.m. Monday. By 12:03 p.m., he had been processed at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles.
Medical Delays and Addiction Struggles
Reiner was scheduled for arraignment this morning at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center—the same downtown courthouse where O.J. Simpson was acquitted in 1995.
However, proceedings were halted when Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) officials were unwilling to grant medical clearance for Reiner to be transported to the courthouse. This is not uncommon when an individual is being treating for severe withdrawal symptoms from substance abuse or has mental health issues.
Unconfirmed reports suggest Reiner, who has a documented history of struggle with methamphetamine and heroin addiction, is currently undergoing detoxification.
At intake, if an inmate is suffering from severe addiction issues, an intervention team is sometimes assigned to treat withdrawal symptoms (detox).
But this year, LASD, scaled back life-saving opioid addiction treatment for inmates. In September, California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a civil rights lawsuit against the County of Los Angeles due to a “significant increase in in-custody deaths.”
Jail officials will likely provide Reiner with special attention because of his high-profile status.
Nick Reiner retains criminal defense attorney Alan Jackson
Reiner has retained high-powered criminal defense attorney Alan Jackson. A former L.A. County Deputy District Attorney known for successfully prosecuting Phil Spector, Jackson has since pivoted to high-profile defense, representing clients such as Karen Read, Harvey Weinstein, and Kevin Spacey.
Given that Reiner had revolved in and out of rehab facilities, spats of homeless, and was living with his parents, it is unknown how he could afford to be represented by Alan Jackson—let alone pay his retainer deposit.
The Charges and the Road Ahead
Once medically cleared, Reiner is expected to be arraigned on two counts of first-degree murder. To secure a conviction, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Reiner acted with malice aforethought and that the killings were willful, deliberate, and premeditated. (Pen. Code, §§ 187(a), 189(a).) LA County District Attorney’s Office says Reiner also faces. special charges for using a knife. Using a deadly weapon can add significant time to the prison sentence. (Pen. Code, § 190.2.) Use of a knife can also amount to “torture” which is a special circumstance that makes it unnecessary for prosecutors to prove the elements of deliberation and premeditation.
Potential Defenses and Sentencing
Given Reiner’s history of severe substance abuse, mental health issues, and current in-custody health condition, insanity is a potential defense.
Under California law, Reiner must prove that he had suffered from a mental disease or defect that rendered him incapable of understanding the nature of his acts, or that he was incapable of distinguishing moral or legal right from wrong. However, the insanity defense can be much more difficult to prove in light of substance abuse.
Substance abuse, intoxication, or brain damage from drugs is not necessarily a defense
Addiction to or abuse of drugs or intoxicants, by itself, does not qualify as legal insanity. This is true even if the intoxicants cause organic brain damage or a settled mental disease or defect that lasts after the immediate effects of the intoxicants have worn off. Likewise, a temporary mental condition caused by the recent use of drugs or intoxicants is not legal insanity. Special rules apply when the sole basis of insanity is a defendant’s use of intoxicants. (Pen. Code, § 29.8.)
California’s moratorium on the death penalty
While first-degree murder in California carries a sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty, political factors may intervene.
In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on capital punishment.
“The intentional killing of another person is wrong and as Governor, I will not oversee the execution of any individual,” Newsom said.
“Our death penalty system has been, by all measures, a failure. It has discriminated against defendants who are mentally ill, black and brown, or can’t afford expensive legal representation. It has provided no public safety benefit or value as a deterrent. It has wasted billions of taxpayer dollars. Most of all, the death penalty is absolute. It’s irreversible and irreparable in the event of human error.” Newsom said.
The Echoes of the 1994 slaying of Nicole Simpson.
The brutality of the crime has drawn chilling parallels to the city’s darkest history. Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer, 68, were found dead with their throats slashed in their Brentwood mansion—only a mile and a half away from the the condo where Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, were similarly slayed.