Nick Reiner’s former attorney is standing firm on one point: he believes in his client’s innocence.
Alan Jackson, who represented 32-year-old Nick as he faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, spoke out during a Tuesday, January 13, episode of the Hot Mics podcast with Billy Bush.
“I believe in it. I believe exactly what I said. What I said is the truth. Under the laws of the state of California, he’s not guilty,” Jackson insisted. “It was important for me to make sure that the public understood that as I had to step away.”
Jackson’s comments come just days after he announced in court on January 7 that he would be stepping down from the case. Nick is now represented by public defender Kimberly Greene. During the hearing, Reiner did not enter a plea, and his arraignment has been pushed to Monday, February 23.
Despite leaving the case, Jackson says his commitment to Nick hasn’t wavered. Appearing earlier on SiriusXM’s Let’s Talk Off Camera With Kelly Ripa, the attorney shared why he could not provide more details about his decision to step down.
“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, Kelly, in terms of why there was a change in counsel, why we stepped away and the public defender’s office stepped in,” Jackson said. “I will reiterate what I said in the press conference, which is, my team, me personally and my team, remain completely and utterly committed to Nick’s best interest. 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. And I know he will in the hands of the public defender’s office.”
During the Hot Mics interview, Jackson further defended his exit amid speculation about his retainer fees. “You can’t say that, Billy. You can’t say that something happened with the retainer because I’ve never said that,” he said. Jackson added that he would “not get into the specifics of why it was necessary for me to withdraw.”
Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead in their Brentwood, California, home on December 14, 2025, with apparent stab wounds. Nick was arrested shortly after and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
Jackson made it clear that, regardless of his departure from the case, his belief in Nick’s innocence remains unchanged. “My commitment to him, to his defense, is not going to change,” he told Bush. “We want him to get the best possible representation, and I know he will in the hands of the public defender’s office.”
