CA - Murder victims Identified as Rob Reiner and wife Michele - LA Dec 14 2025

[BUF]

Thanks for this. If there was only one video I needed to watch about the arraignment, this would be it. The attorney he interviewed was very good, to the point, descriptive of what happened so far and what happened in the courtroom.

She is also a retired FBI agent, so well versed in criminal cases. Brian Entin has her on often and I have always appreciated what she had to say.

What she said about families changing their minds after time has set in was very interesting too. For those who haven’t watched it, you may want to.

I’ll post it again….

 

[tlcya]

She is also a retired FBI agent, so well versed in criminal cases. Brian Entin has her on often and I have always appreciated what she had to say.

What she said about families changing their minds after time has set in was very interesting too. For those who haven’t watched it, you may want to.

I agree, she seems knowledgeable and well spoken. I don't know why AJ withdrew and was not prepared to believe it was due to family withdrawing support of NR. I am still not convinced that is the case, but her comments about the topic definitely gave me food for thought and made me see it as possible in a way I hadn't before.

 

[katydid23]

Considering the premium extensive medical care that NR had starting a very early age there is for sure plenty of empirical evidence gathered that in totality makes a diagnosis.

I'm not sure NR had 'premium extensive medical care' at a young age.

I have read about him having several years of a personal yoga teacher, to help him with his stress.
And the family went to a family counsellor for talk therapy to try and communicate better.

But the parents did not seem to think that their son had any medical problems. He was just kind of bratty and spoiled and impatient, it seems. That seems to be their belief if you read the comments by friends and family and look at what actions they took. Their main protocol was " don't upset Nick."

It was not until his teen years that they began sending him to 'camps' to try and deal with his behaviour. First one was a boot camp kind of thing. No deep medical evaluations, strictly behavioural.

Then they began sending him to drug rehabs. There would not be formal medical diagnosis there either, I assume.

A recent diagnoses identifying the serious debilitating condition is just putting a label to what’s already manifested and progressed as it’s known to do in NR’s age span. It’s a devastating conclusion not frivolously or quickly presented.

The recent diagnosis does not prove that he was born with schizophrenia though. It could be a drug induced diagnosis, IMO.

Medical professionals routinely handle the co-occurring diseases, addiction and mental illness.

The problem, imo, is that addiction and mental illness are the great equalizers.

Yes they are. But the LEGAL QUESTION remains. Because if the psychosis is a drug induced situation, then it will not allow an Insanity defense plea. You cannot say 'I was so high that I accidentally stabbed my parents to death.'

All the Reiner’s funding of medical and behavioral interventions, worry and love in the end weren’t any more effective for NR’s life than the undiagnosed, untreated, unloved ones that wander the streets suffering and lashing out.

That’s the worst it’s all so often futile in the end.


all imo

True.

 

[Betty P]

She is also a retired FBI agent, so well versed in criminal cases. Brian Entin has her on often and I have always appreciated what she had to say.

What she said about families changing their minds after time has set in was very interesting too. For those who haven’t watched it, you may want to.

I’ll post it again….

She seems to have quite a bit of experience in this area and has a good idea of what the family is thinking and going through. She's seen this before, I think. It was also interesting when she wondered if the siblings had seen a crime scene photo. She inferred that the crime scene photos are probably very violent and bad. This was probably a "rage" killing. If the kids had seen even one photo of their parents, it may have traumatized them and turned them against their brother. When they see the torment and horror their parents went through and the obvious cruelty of their brother, they're probably less inclined to help him. JMO

 

[MistyWaters]

Yes, legally. I was off that topic concerning the diagnosis as a legal mechanism.

I think he might know right from wrong but thinks he's right anyway.

all imo

Yes and even if he was diagnosed schizophrenic dozens of times, that’s still not proof he didn’t have intent to kill his parents when he stabbed each of them.

What were RR and NR arguing loudly about at the party, it could be argued that formed the motive for what occurred later. At least one person present wanted to call LE to report NR indicating a dispute well beyond a simple disagreement, and in front of available witnesses.
JMO

 

[NuttMegg]

She seems to have quite a bit of experience in this area and has a good idea of what the family is thinking and going through. She's seen this before, I think. It was also interesting when she wondered if the siblings had seen a crime scene photo. She inferred that the crime scene photos are probably very violent and bad. This was probably a "rage" killing. If the kids had seen even one photo of their parents, it may have traumatized them and turned them against their brother. When they see the torment and horror their parents went through and the obvious cruelty of their brother, they're probably less inclined to help him. JMO

The siblings may have been getting a lot of pressure right at first, from Reiner's long time friends. Because AJ was hired so quickly. Who told them to choose him, or who called A J in the first place. Then, maybe after seeing photos, maybe some interactions with him after the murders where he was an ahole, and they learned he wanted to do additional harm to the family. Do we assume they would have been able to communicate with him? I don't see why not, if he wanted to.

 

[Betty P]

The siblings may have been getting a lot of pressure right at first, from Reiner's long time friends. Because AJ was hired so quickly. Who told them to choose him, or who called A J in the first place. Then, maybe after seeing photos, maybe some intetactions with him after the murders where he was an ahole, and learned he wanted to do additional harm to the family. Do we assume they would have been able to communicate with him? I don't see why not, if he wanted to.

Yes. There's also the matter of him being taken off suicide watch. Perhaps he's now feeling defensive or trying to justify his actions. Not being suicidal, JMO, means he doesn't really sad or remorseful for killing his parents. He might, but, JMO, it seems more doubtful. Just a guess, but we may find he's a very narcissistic person who always thinks he's right.

 

[BUF]

What were RR and NR arguing loudly about at the party, it could be argued that formed the motive for what occurred later. At least one person present wanted to call LE to report NR indicating a dispute well beyond a simple disagreement, and in front of available witnesses.
JMO

I suspect these are probably the people Jackson was asking for body attachments for subpoenas (for some) yesterday in court just before he withdrew.

 

[Cool Cats]

MSN

Who is Kimberly Greene? What to know about Nick Reiner's new lawyer​

Kimberly Greene may be the new face on Nick Reiner's legal team, but this is hardly her first rodeo in the courtroom.

The Los Angeles-based attorney, who's served as a public defender in Southern California for nearly two decades, has joined the screenwriter's murder case after Reiner's previous lawyer, Alan Jackson, abruptly stepped down from the high-profile proceeding during a court hearing Wednesday, Jan. 7.

In her first move as Reiner's attorney, Greene requested for Reiner's arraignment to be delayed to Feb. 23.

Nick Reiner case shakeup: Screenwriter's attorney Alan Jackson withdraws from murder case

Outside the courthouse, Greene made it clear this is far from the first time her office has replaced a private attorney.

"It's not uncommon for private counsel to turn over cases to us," Greene told the media. "Nothing about that would complicate the situation."

 

[katydid23]

Could be. We aren't privy to whatever trusts the parents set up, or map to inheritance. But even if Nick's part was full of barbed wire hazards, the other 3 offspring could have paid for his defense I'd think. Assuming the $$ was available.

No, I don't think his siblings could have paid, using any monies from their parent's estate. Any money belonging to the murder victims is off limits to be used for Nick's defense. IIUC.

How could the slayer law stop a third party from paying for his defense, even if it comes from the same inheritance, but not from his part? I don't see how the trust set up could anticipate that. Assuming 1 or more of the kids wanted to donate from their share.

The California Slayer Statute (Probate Code § 250) prevents anyone who intentionally and feloniously kills a decedent from inheriting from their estate, disinheriting them from wills, trusts, insurance, or intestate succession, essentially treating them as if they predeceased the victim.

Disinheritance Scope:
The killer loses all property, interests, or benefits from the victim's estate, including will bequests, trust distributions, intestate succession rights, life insurance, and fiduciary roles (like executor)
Application:
The killer is barred from receiving any inheritance or benefit from the victim's estate

Distribution:
The inheritance passes as if the killer predeceased the victim, avoiding loopholes



So the way I understand it, all 3 siblings are getting their money from the parent's family trust. This law says NONE of that family trust can go to pay for the killer's defense. It doesn't matter if one of the siblings tries to pay it in their name or not----the money cannot come from the victim's estate.

The bill for AJ would be estimated at 5 to 10 million. For the siblings to pay that, they'd need to take t5hat directly from their parent's family trust. Is that a legal loophole that can be used?

But I'm with you on NR refusing the NGRI that same morning. Thanks for all your research.

 

[Cool Cats]

(Money could be a reason that Nick Reiner's attorney stepped down but this is not officially confirmed)

Nick Reiner's star lawyer stepped down. This could be why.

Why did Nick Reiner's star lawyer, Alan Jackson, withdraw from the high-profile murder case? And what comes next?

www.usatoday.com

https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-prob/division-2/part-7/section-250/

California has a "slayer statute" that prevents anyone who "feloniously and intentionally kills" another person from inheriting that person's assets.

Previous attorney Alan Jackson would probably charge a seven-figure sum as a retainer at the beginning of the case, Neama Rahmani said. The total price tag to go through a trial could tally $5 million to $10 million, including the cost for experts, lawyers beyond Jackson, and consultants to help with jury selection.

(Neama Rahmani is a Los Angeles-based litigator and former federal prosecutor)

​

 

[katydid23]

I don't know the legal terms, but once the money is legally theirs, wouldn't that no longer be from the trust? How could the slayer law tie up that money forever. I mean the other children's parts. Unless they could only withdraw so much per year.

From what I've been told, money from the victim's trust fund cannot be used for their killer's defense team. No matter who tries to pay it, it cannot come from the victim's account.

I could be wrong.

 

[NuttMegg]

I'd like to know if NR had been presented with the allegedly impending conservatorship, before the party. And if that was part of the argument. Or if it was mainly a behave yourself kind of back and forth.

"If" he knew that was the next step, I can see that as a life altering trigger event, maybe underestimated here. The hardest time to absorb a conservatorship or guardianship is when the "patient" is sometimes perfectly conversational, living in the real world.

I know we're not sure a conservatorship was in the works, because LA times printed then edited it out. But "if" it was already on the table, and he learned about it in his alleged state of not adjusting well to new drugs, imo that could have made his warped mind want to kill them. Conservatorship is a big damn deal. Complete loss of power, decision making ability, at 32 before marriage, before career, even if only in his mind, right when life still seems endless.

 

[MistyWaters]

No, I don't think his siblings could have paid, using any monies from their parent's estate. Any money belonging to the murder victims is off limits to be used for Nick's defense. IIUC.


The California Slayer Statute (Probate Code § 250) prevents anyone who intentionally and feloniously kills a decedent from inheriting from their estate, disinheriting them from wills, trusts, insurance, or intestate succession, essentially treating them as if they predeceased the victim.

Disinheritance Scope:
The killer loses all property, interests, or benefits from the victim's estate, including will bequests, trust distributions, intestate succession rights, life insurance, and fiduciary roles (like executor)
Application:
The killer is barred from receiving any inheritance or benefit from the victim's estate

Distribution:
The inheritance passes as if the killer predeceased the victim, avoiding loopholes
So the way I understand it, all 3 siblings are getting their money from the parent's family trust. This law says NONE of that family trust can go to pay for the killer's defense. It doesn't matter if one of the siblings tries to pay it in their name or not----the money cannot come from the victim's estate.



If the siblings have another source of money that can pay the bill, that's fine. Maybe an aunt or uncle have their own income stream. But the financial estate from Rob and Michelle are legally off limits to pay for the defense team, IIUC.

I’m only noticing where the slayer statute “prevents anyone who intentionally and feloniously kills a decedent from inheriting from their estate, disinheriting them from wills, trusts, insurance, or intestate succession” meaning the killer cannot inherit, does not stipulate they cannot accept a gift of financial resources from another beneficiary.

But no restrictions on how financial resources are spent for others who inherit from the estate and who did not kill anyone is mentioned. It would be impossible to monitor. A beneficiary could borrow $2 million to fund the killers defense if they chose, secured by a $2 million inheritance. Then the $2 million is from a bank loan, not an inheritance.
JMO

 

[LinasK]

I don't know the legal terms, but once the money is legally theirs, wouldn't that no longer be from the trust? How could the slayer law tie up that money forever. I mean the other children's parts. Unless they could only withdraw so much per year.

I'm guessing that they don't receive the money immediately, and we don't even know if if was the siblings who hired Jackson. If one of my siblings killed my parents, I sure wouldn't be forking over my inheritance to pay for their defense!!! But I guess it's possible that they could.

 

[katydid23]

I’m only noticing where the slayer statute “prevents anyone who intentionally and feloniously kills a decedent from inheriting from their estate, disinheriting them from wills, trusts, insurance, or intestate succession” meaning the killer cannot inherit, does not stipulate they cannot accept a gift of financial resources from another beneficiary.

But no restrictions on how financial resources are spent for others who inherit from the estate and who did not kill anyone is mentioned. It would be impossible to monitor. A beneficiary could borrow $2 million to fund the killers defense if they chose, secured by a $2 million inheritance. Then the $2 million is from a bank loan, not an inheritance.
JMO

True, there are always loopholes.

But are the surviving family members going to want to use a legal loophole in order to help their brother try to get free from prison after he brutally killed their parents?

They have to use a slick manuever to use their parent's money to benefit their killer. That's a tough place for them to be in.

 

[LinasK]

The siblings may have been getting a lot of pressure right at first, from Reiner's long time friends. Because AJ was hired so quickly. Who told them to choose him, or who called A J in the first place. Then, maybe after seeing photos, maybe some interactions with him after the murders where he was an ahole, and they learned he wanted to do additional harm to the family. Do we assume they would have been able to communicate with him? I don't see why not, if he wanted to.

We don't know who hired Jackson. My theory is that it was one of Rob or Michelle's siblings who did that.

 

[NuttMegg]

I'm guessing that they don't receive the money immediately, and we don't even know if if was the siblings who hired Jackson. If one of my siblings killed my parents, I sure wouldn't be forking over my inheritance to pay for their defense!!! But I guess it's possible that they could.

True. I've seen "family" mentioned but not specifically the 2, and/or the one from Penny Marshall. Just "family". Maybe there's a huge family bout going on and they are classy enough to keep it private.

 

[MerlinFalcon]

I am perplexed by the long statement AJ made. There was really no reason at all for him to talk. I wonder if he may end up working for the kids or someone else to get the help Nick obviously needs.

 

[MistyWaters]

I'm guessing that they don't receive the money immediately, and we don't even know if if was the siblings who hired Jackson. If one of my siblings killed my parents, I sure wouldn't be forking over my inheritance to pay for their defense!!! But I guess it's possible that they could.

Yes a lot of assumptions. It might’ve been the siblings who argued against NR having any access to financial resources from the estate.

Remembering the purpose of the Slayer Statute is so somebody can’t become wealthy by inheriting who they murdered. When it comes to legal fees, I don’t know but that might be a grey area because an inheritance isn’t being pocketed. It’s potentially being used to clear an accused of murder charges which would then entitle them to an inheritance.

I’m sure a California estate attorney will chime in on one of the several talk shows.

JMO