ALBAWABA - Inheritance uncertain as Nick Reiner faces murder charges over parents’ deaths.
Nick Reiner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for stabbing and killing his parents, Rob Reiner, a Hollywood actor and director, and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.
Rob and Michele have three kids together: Jake, who is 34; Nick, who is 32; and Romy, who is 27. Rob Reiner's first wife, Penny Marshall, died in 2018, and their daughter Tracy Reiner also survives Rob.
Nick Reiner was probably going to get tens of millions of dollars from his parents when they died.
But if he's found guilty, he won't get a cent, according to the slayer law. According to the prosecutors, the most severe punishment for the crimes of Nick Reiner would be to spend life in prison without the chance of parole or the death penalty.
Alan Jackson (R), attorney of Nick Reiner Photo by POOL / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
Attorney for estates and trusts Sean Weissbart, who has nothing to do with the Reiner case, says that it's very unlikely that any of Rob and Michele Reiner's money would go toward hiring a high-profile lawyer, now or in the future.
Weissbart said, "The Reiners probably have wills and something called a revocable trust, but that trust agreement is going to name trustees."
The trustees could include all or some of the children, a lawyer, or another individual close to the family. That person would then say, "Nick Reiner is accused of a grave crime that would clearly make him lose his inheritance." Weissbart added, "I'm not going to take any chances and give him any money."
Nick Reiner has hired the famous defense lawyer Alan Jackson to defend him.
Nick Reiner stays in jail until his hearing in January.
Mark Geragos, a well-known lawyer who is currently defending the Menendez brothers, discussed a possible way to defend Nick Reiner in court.
Geragos talked to CNN and said that he thinks there will be an insanity plea and that Jackson will "declare a doubt as to the competency of Nick Reiner."
Jackson didn't say much after going to court on Wednesday. He cautioned against hasty judgments.
Eyewitness News contacted his law company to find out how he and Nick Reiner got in touch with each other and who is paying for the lawyer. No one has answered Eyewitness News yet.
Geragos believes that Jackson's hiring could reveal the Reiner family's feelings.
"Jackson's family was there as soon as he showed up," Geragos said.
Jake and Romy Reiner spoke out about their parents' deaths for the first time, saying they are in "unimaginable pain."
No one should have to go through the terrible and horrible loss of their parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. Their quote said, "They were more than just our parents; they were our best friends."
The statement only asked that "speculation be tempered with compassion and humanity," without mentioning their brother Nick.
