A high-powered lawyer for Nick Reiner, who is charged with murdering his Hollywood director father Rob Reiner and mother Michele, has withdrawn from the case.
It emerged that Alan Jackson would no longer represent Nick Reiner during a court hearing, though the attorney said afterwards that he believed his now-former client was innocent.
Mr Reiner, 32, did not enter a plea to charges of first-degree murder of his parents during a brief appearance at Los Angeles Superior Court.
The Reiners were found dead with stab wounds on 14 December in the bedroom of their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
Mr Jackson said outside court after Wednesday’s hearing that he had left the case.
“Circumstances beyond my control, but more importantly circumstances beyond Nick’s control, have made it impossible for us to continue our representation,” he told reporters.
“I’m legally and ethically prohibited from explaining the reasons why.”
The lawyer, who has previously represented Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, added that Reiner was not guilty of murder.
But LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said otherwise outside court.
“We are fully confident that a jury will convict Nick Reiner beyond a reasonable doubt of the brutal murder of his parents – Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner,” said the prosecutor.
The accused will now be represented in court by a public defender.
To qualify for a publicly funded attorney, defendants must show they lack the means to fund their legal case.
Rob Reiner’s net worth was estimated at $200m (£150m) and it is unclear who was paying the retainer for his son’s high-powered attorney. The accused has a brother and sister.
When asked by the judge if he understood that he was waiving his right to enter a plea on Wednesday, Mr Reiner said: “Yeah, I agree with it.”
The defendant smiled a few times during the hearing as he spoke to sheriffs’ deputies.
His new lawyer, public defender Kimberly Greene, met Mr Reiner and asked for time to prepare for the case before her new client entered a plea.
The next hearing is set for 23 February.
Rob Reiner, 78, directed a handful of iconic films in a variety of genres, including This is Spinal Tap, Misery and A Few Good Men.
Michele Singer Reiner, 70, was an actress, photographer and producer.
By BBC News
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