Nick Reiner has petitioned a court to grant him access to a trust fund established by his parents. He argues he requires the funds to defend himself against charges he murdered them. Reiner contends that this money was due to him long before the alleged crimes occurred, as detailed in recently publicized court documents.
Reiner, aged 32, is requesting $558,000 from the trust, which was meant to be disbursed three years ago. He hopes to rehire criminal defense attorney Alan Jackson to counter charges of killing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, in their Brentwood home last December, the filing states.
The filing further claims that any restriction preventing access to these funds would be unconstitutional. Reiner asserts this denies a man, who is presumed innocent, access to his untainted money before a trial that will determine his liberty. NBC first reported the filing on Monday night. Jackson, who had earlier withdrawn as Reiner’s attorney and was replaced by the L.A. County Public Defender’s Office, has declined to comment.
Reiner initiated legal action for the funds earlier this year. However, those managing the trust argue he is prohibited from accessing it, citing California’s Slayer statute. This law prevents individuals from benefiting financially from their crimes.
Reiner argues this statute is inapplicable since he hasn’t been convicted. He emphasizes the funds were owed to him on his 30th birthday in September 2023, which predates his parents’ deaths.
This case concerns money that Nick’s parents separately allotted for him. It was set to be paid on two fixed dates: half at 30, and the remainder at 35, as his attorneys noted.
Reiner is alleged to have fatally stabbed his parents on December 14. He was apprehended roughly 12 hours later in Exposition Park after his sister, Romy, found the bodies. A grand jury recently accused him of murder and affirmed an allegation that he lay in wait to ambush his parents. Prosecutors have not disclosed a motive.
Reiner has entered a not guilty plea and faces a potential life sentence if convicted. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the death penalty will not be pursued if the case goes to trial. The court will consider Reiner’s request for trust fund access on October 23.
Joshua Ritter, a former prosecutor in L.A. County, believes Reiner’s interpretation of the Slayer statute is correct. However, he noted that the trust might include other provisions to limit access, especially considering Reiner’s history of drug and mental health issues.
“The guy was a total wreck,” Ritter commented, speculating that a trust with discretion was presumably created.