Nick Reiner‘s attorney pushed on Monday for speedy access to trust funds to pay for his criminal defense in the killings of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.
Reiner, who is being held without bail in Los Angeles County jail, is trying to access $1.5 million in trust assets so that he can rehire his private defense attorney. He is currently represented by a public defender in the double murder case that could result in life without parole or the death penalty.
At a hearing on Monday morning, Reiner’s probate attorney stressed the urgency of accessing the funds so that Reiner can properly prepare for his criminal trial.
“It’s been delay after delay after delay,” said the attorney, Anita Wu. “The clock is really running on his preparation of his defense. This is not something that can continue to wait.”
Judge Ruben Garcia set a hearing on Oct. 23, noting that resolving such matters “can be a long process.”
“I’m there,” Garcia said. “I’m doing my very best to address the issues you raised.”
Rob and Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on Dec. 14. Nick Reiner, who has been open about his struggles with addiction and mental health, was arrested later that day and charged with their murders. He pleaded not guilty last week to a grand jury indictment, which alleges special circumstances of “lying in wait” and “multiple murders” that make the case potentially eligible for the death penalty.
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Reiner’s attorneys have been trying for several months to access about $1.5 million in a trust set up for his benefit by his parents shortly after his birth. The trustee overseeing that trust has authorised limited payments to fund previous legal bills and Reiner’s jail commissary account, but has held off on allowing a more sizable outlay.
In an objection last week, the trustee noted the potential application of California’s “slayer statute,” which would prevent Reiner from inheriting his parents’ money if he is convicted of killing them. The trustee also noted that Reiner’s siblings, Romy and Jake, would inherit Nick’s trust should he predecease them, and thus must be involved in any resolution.
Wu expressed hope Monday that the parties could reach a global settlement via private mediation. But she also argued that setting the next hearing in October means that negotiations would be postponed to November or December. Wu also said that she hopes to include Reiner’s siblings in the settlement negotiations, but has so far not heard back from them or their attorney.
A pretrial hearing in the criminal case is set for Sept. 15.
Reiner did not appear at the probate hearing, but his public defender, Kimberly Greene, and his former private counsel, Alan Jackson, did attend.
From Variety US