Nick Reiner Was Close To Tears At Arraignment In Parents' Murder Case, As Family Addresses Lawyer Drama

Nick Reiner showed emotion during his recent appearance in court over the murder of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

The 32-year-old is accused of killing the duo and is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The alleged murderer's appearance in court was also marked by the shocking revelation that his attorney, Alan Jackson, had resigned from the case.

The arraignment was subsequently pushed back, with Nick Reiner's family speaking out after his lawyer withdrew from representing him.

The Accused Killer Was On The Verge Of Tears During His Court Appearance

Nick Reiner's first court appearance this year came with him showing an emotional side that many may not have expected, per People Magazine.

The 32-year-old, who is accused of killing his parents, appeared on the verge of tears during the hearing, which seemed to show he was deeply struggling with the weight of his situation.

He also had a clean-shaven head, presumably done at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles, where he has been held since his arrest.

He arrived wearing a khaki jumpsuit and without a suicide vest, a sign that confirmed Nick is no longer on the suicide watch he was initially placed on.

The accused was also in cuffs as he made his way into the courtroom and remained in the same state throughout the proceedings.

Nick Reiner's Lawyer Withdrew From The Case During The Hearing

Nick's emotional display wasn't the only surprising moment during the January 7 court appearance.

High-profile attorney Alan Jackson, who had been reported as Nick's lawyer in the case, unexpectedly chose to withdraw just moments before the arraignment.

Jackson said his legal team had "no choice" but to step away from the case, though the exact reasons behind the decision remain unclear for now.

Nick will now be represented by a public defender, Kimberly Greene, unless he or his family hires another attorney to represent him before the next court date.

He waived his right to complete his arraignment on January 7, and the court proceedings were rescheduled for February 23.

It is expected that Nick will enter a plea during this time, which will in part determine the next steps in the murder case.

The Reiner Family Is Trusting The Legal Process Despite Nick's Lawyer's Withdrawal

With regards to Jackson's decision to quit the case, a spokesperson for the Reiner family issued a reaction to the outlet.

"They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings," the individual said, per People Magazine.

The family had previously shared their displeasure with the purported death penalty Nick faced if found guilty at trial.

"Nick is seriously ill. They believe killing him won't bring Rob and Michele back — and it won't fix what went wrong," a source for the family told Rob Shuter's #ShuterScoop last month.

At the time, it was also revealed that the family intends to heavily push back on any prosecutorial plans in line with the death penalty as the murder case continues to proceed.

"Justice, to them, means treatment, accountability, and making sure this never happens again," a different source told the outlet. "Another death isn't justice."

What Is Nick Reiner Being Accused Of?

Nick is the only person who has been arrested for the murder of his parents after they were found with stab wounds in their Brentwood home in Los Angeles.

He is now facing two counts of first-degree murder related to their deaths, which were filed shortly after his arrest in December.

It is expected that the charges will also be tried under "special circumstances," as well as a special allegation that he used a "dangerous and deadly" weapon, such as a knife.

Rob Reiner's Son Was Diagnosed With A Severe Mental Disorder

Ultimately, if found guilty of the charges, the accused faces a possible life sentence without parole or the death penalty, as the latter has been restored in California.

Ahead of the trial, rumors have swirled that Nick intends to pursue his case with an insanity plea.

The accused has already been reported to have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was reportedly under medication for the condition at the time he allegedly committed the murders of his parents.