Nick Reiner's Former Attorney Said He's 'Not Guilty of Murder' After Withdrawing from Case By Liam Quinn, Danielle Bacher, and Sean Mandell 100

Nick Reiner’s former attorney affirmed that his ex-client was “not guilty” after withdrawing from his case connected to the stabbing deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

Alan Jackson made the claim at a press conference outside a Los Angeles courthouse following Nick’s appearance in court on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

“Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder,” Jackson said. “Print that.”

Jackson did not say why he was withdrawing from the case, stating only that it was due to circumstances out of his and Nick’s control.

Nick was initially supposed to be arraigned on murder charges in connection with his parents’ deaths, but following the withdrawal, he will now be arraigned on Feb. 23. Nick will be represented by a public defender. He has not yet entered a plea.

Nick made an appearance during Wednesday’s hearing, with his head shaved and wearing a tan jumpsuit. Notably, he was not wearing the suicide-prevention smock he had worn at his first appearance.

Rob and Michele were found dead in their family home on Sunday, Dec. 14, the result of multiple sharp force injuries, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Nick was arrested hours later and is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders, as well as a special allegation he used a “dangerous and deadly” weapon such as a knife.

Nick Reiner, with a Newly Shaved Head, on Verge of Tears as He Appears for Arraignment Over Parents’ Killings

Nick Reiner’s Attorney Withdraws from Case Moments into Scheduled Arraignment

Following Wednesday’s hearing, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman also spoke and expressed confidence that a jury would find Nick guilty of murder, while also noting that the defendant is entitled to proper legal representation.

The Reiner family released a statement to PEOPLE following Jackson’s withdrawal.

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“They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings,” a spokesperson for the family said.

Rob and Michele met while the former was directing When Harry Met Sally…, which was released in 1989. Together, they had three children, Jake, Romy and Nick.

Rob also adopted a daughter, Tracey, during his first marriage to the late actress and director Penny Marshall.