Nick Reiner’s Murder Trial Delayed, New Public Defender Assigned Amid Conservatorship History
Updated (2 articles)
Conservatorship Established Before the Crime A Los Angeles Superior Court clerk confirmed that Nick Reiner was placed under a mental‑health conservatorship from 2020 through 2021, with fiduciary Steven Baer appointed to manage his affairs [1][2]. The court record shows the conservatorship was intended to address Reiner’s documented struggles with addiction and mental illness, issues he publicly discussed after producing the autobiographical film Being Charlie [1][2].
Parents Found Stabbed, Suspect Arrested Hours Later Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were discovered with multiple sharp‑force injuries in their Los Angeles home on the morning of Dec. 14, 2025 [1][2]. Police arrested Nick Reiner within hours of the discovery, linking him to the scene based on forensic evidence and witness statements [1][2]. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s initial report cited the knife wounds as the cause of death [1][2].
Two First‑Degree Murder Counts and No Bail Nick Reiner faces two counts of first‑degree murder, each carrying special circumstances for multiple victims and a weapon‑enhancement provision because a knife was used [1][2]. He has been detained without bail since his December arrest, and prosecutors have indicated the charges could lead to a life‑without‑parole sentence [1][2].
Arraignment Postponed and Defense Team Shifted The court postponed Reiner’s arraignment to Feb. 23, 2026, after high‑profile attorney Alan Jackson withdrew from the case [1][2]. Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene will now represent Reiner, marking a significant change in his legal representation [1][2]. The delay allows both prosecution and defense additional time to prepare for the complex mental‑health and homicide issues [1][2].
Conservator Comments Highlight Mental‑Health Context Steven Baer, the appointed conservator, described mental illness as “an epidemic that is widely misunderstood” and called the murders “a horrible tragedy” [1][2]. Baer’s remarks underscore the broader public‑health conversation surrounding Reiner’s longstanding mental‑health challenges [1][2].
Sources
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1.
WBNS: Nick Reiner was under mental health conservatorship in 2020, reports say – Provides court‑clerk verification of the conservatorship, details the appointment of Steven Baer, and notes Reiner’s prior public discussion of addiction .
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2.
King5: Nick Reiner was under mental health conservatorship in 2020, reports say – Emphasizes the timeline linking the conservatorship to the December murders, highlights the knife weapon enhancement, and repeats the defense‑counsel change .
Timeline
2016 – Nick Reiner publicly discusses his addiction and mental‑health struggles after creating the autobiographical film Being Charlie with his father. The interview highlights his long‑standing battle with mental illness, providing context for later legal and medical interventions[1].
2020 – 2021 – A Los Angeles Superior Court places Nick Reiner under a mental‑health conservatorship. Licensed fiduciary Steven Baer serves as conservator, overseeing Reiner’s personal and financial decisions during this period[1].
Dec 14, 2025 – Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner are found dead in their Los Angeles home with multiple sharp‑force injuries. Police arrest Nick Reiner hours later, linking him to the murders and prompting a high‑profile criminal investigation[1].
Dec 14, 2025 – Nick Reiner is held without bail and charged with two counts of first‑degree murder, including special circumstances and a knife‑weapon enhancement. The charges carry the possibility of life imprisonment without parole[1].
Early Jan 2026 – Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene is appointed to represent Nick Reiner after high‑profile attorney Alan Jackson withdraws from the case. The change in counsel signals a shift in the defense strategy ahead of the upcoming arraignment[1].
Feb 23, 2026 – Nick Reiner’s arraignment is postponed to this date. The delay gives prosecutors additional time to prepare their case and allows the new defense team to organize its approach[1].
Feb 23, 2026 – Steven Baer, the court‑appointed conservator, comments that mental illness “is an epidemic that is widely misunderstood and this is a horrible tragedy.” His statement underscores the broader societal issue of mental‑health stigma while linking it to the current criminal case[1].