At a Glance
- Alan Jackson has formally withdrawn from defending Nick Reiner, charged with murdering his parents
- Jackson says he is barred from revealing why his team stepped down
- Reiner will now be represented by the public defender’s office
- Why it matters: The switch removes one of the country’s most high-profile defense attorneys from a case that has drawn national attention
Alan Jackson’s headline-making exit from the defense of Nick Reiner is complete. One week after announcing he was quitting the double-murder case, the celebrity lawyer has opened up-within strict limits-about why he walked away.
Appearing on the Jan. 13 edition of Sirius XM’s “Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa,” Jackson said the questions swirling around his departure are understandable but that professional rules leave him unable to answer them.
“Everybody’s got that same looming question, and I am compelled because of legal standards and ethical obligations-there’s certain things I simply can’t divulge,” he said, citing “why there was a change in counsel, why we stepped away and the public defender’s office stepped in.”
The Withdrawal
Jackson’s exit became official on Jan. 7, when he told the court that Reiner-charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a special-circumstance allegation of multiple murders-would be assigned a public defender.
The move pushed Reiner’s arraignment to Feb. 23 and left the 60-year-old attorney fielding questions about everything from his motives to the possibility of a return.
“The withdrawal is in the books, the court has relieved me of his counsel, and that’s where it stands, moving forward,” Jackson told Ripa, effectively ending any speculation of a comeback.
He used two separate media appearances to reinforce a single message: the decision, while painful, was made with Reiner’s welfare in mind.
“My team-me personally and my team-remain completely and utterly committed to Nick’s best interest,” he said. “We always will be committed to his best interests. I want nothing but the best for him and I want him to get the most robust defense that he possibly can get.”
Praise for New Counsel
Jackson’s résumé includes the defenses of Karen Read, Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey. Despite that pedigree, he voiced confidence in the public defenders now handling the case, especially Kimberly Greene.
“I have a lot of faith in the public defender’s office,” he told host Billy Bush on the Jan. 12 episode of “Hot Mics.” “I have a lot of faith in their representation; they’re outstanding, outstanding legal professionals.”
The endorsement appeared designed to reassure both Reiner and the public that the change in counsel will not diminish the quality of the defense.
Setting the Record Straight
Jackson said rampant speculation forced him to speak out, even if only in broad terms.
“It was important for me to right some wrongs that had been printed, lots of speculation, lots of people who want to believe certain things,” he explained.
He repeated that ethical walls prevent him from revealing the precise reason for the split, but insisted that no outside factor undermined his belief in Reiner’s innocence.
“I have not said a word about it,” he noted, urging listeners not to “start speculating as to what that might be.”
Inside the Final Weeks
Jackson said his team worked “nearly every waking hour” during the roughly three weeks they remained on the case after Reiner’s arrest.
“I was doing a favor to the truth,” he told Bush, characterizing the effort as exhaustive and focused on building a strong foundation for trial.
The timeline suggests the decision to leave came quickly, intensifying the scrutiny that followed the Jan. 7 announcement.
Courtroom Aftermath
With Jackson gone, attention has shifted to what the public defender’s office will uncover. A judge has already acknowledged that an ongoing defense investigation could influence the direction of the prosecution.
While details of that probe remain sealed, the mention signals that pretrial maneuvering is far from over.
Reiner, for his part, faces life without parole if convicted on both counts. The special-circumstance allegation eliminates the possibility of a reduced sentence for either death.
Key Takeaways
- Alan Jackson’s formal withdrawal means Nick Reiner must rely on a public defender for what could be a lengthy trial
- Jackson insists the move serves Reiner’s best interest, though he cannot disclose specifics
- The Feb. 23 arraignment will mark the first public appearance of Reiner’s new legal team
- Jackson has ruled out any return to the case, ending weeks of speculation
- A separate defense investigation, referenced in court, may still reshape the charges
