Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s family have spoken out after Nick Reiner‘s did not enter a plea and his lawyer stepped down.
“They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings,” a spokesperson for the Reiner family said in a statement to the New York Times on Wednesday, January 7.
On Wednesday, Nick appeared in court but his arraignment was put on pause. That same day, Alan Jackson announced that he was stepping down as Nick’s attorney and a public defender will be taking his place.
“We feel we have no choice at this juncture but to withdraw as council. I asked to be relieved,” Jackson stated.
Us Weekly has reached out to Jackson for comment.
The judge confirmed that Nick’s arraignment will be pushed until February 23.
Last month, Rob and Michele were found dead in their Brentwood, California home on December 14, with the official cause of death listed as “multiple sharp force injuries” and manner ruled as a homicide. The couple were 78 and 70, respectively.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” the family’s spokesperson said in a statement to Variety at the time. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
Shortly after news broke of Rob and Michele’s death, their son Nick Reiner was arrested on a murder charge in connection to his parents deaths. Nick was later charged with two counts of first degree murder and is currently being held in jail with no bail. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole or death penalty. (Rob and Michele were also parents to kids Jake and Romy. The When Harry Met Sally director was also the adoptive father to daughter Tracy Reiner whom he shared with late ex-wife Penny Marshall.)
After being charged, Nick appeared in court for the first time on December 17. He did not enter a plea at the time. His arraignment is scheduled for January 7. Following Nick’s hearing, Jackson spoke to the press outside the courthouse.
“First of all, and most importantly, this is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family,” he said. “We all recognize that. Our hearts go out to the entire Reiner family. There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case. Those need to be thoroughly, but very carefully dealt with and examined and looked at and analyzed.”
The attorney continued, “We asked that you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward, not with a rushed judgment, not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity, and with the respect that this system and this process deserves, and that the family deserves.”
That same day, Jake and Romy broke their silence in a statement to TMZ. “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”
The statement continued, “We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life. We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.”
One week later, Jake and Romy’s spokesperson gave an update on the memorial service plans for their late parents.
“Jake and Romy Reiner remain grateful for the outpouring of love and support they have received,” the spokesperson said in a statement to People on December 22. “They will share information about a memorial service honoring their parents at a later date.”
Rob and Michele’s death certificates were released on December 23 and revealed that the pair were cremated.
