Nick Reiner, accused of the murder of his parents Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has been refused access to the $1.5-million US trust fund he was attempting to utilize for his legal defense. In a filing from June, Reiner had been seeking allegedly unpaid funds from a trust established for him by his parents in 1993.
Trustees, as per court documents obtained by CBC News, declined Reiner’s request for the funds, citing the “slayer statute” in California law, which prohibits individuals who have “feloniously and intentionally” killed someone from inheriting money, property, or trusts. Rob Reiner, a renowned director and actor, and Michele, a photographer and producer, were fatally stabbed in their California residence on December 14, leading to the arrest of their son, Nick Reiner, hours later.
Nick, aged 32, was indicted on murder charges on July 20 and has entered a plea of not guilty. The indictment by a Los Angeles County grand jury, unveiled recently, accuses Reiner of lying in wait before assaulting his parents, making him eligible for the death penalty based on the circumstances. District Attorney Nathan Hochman has not yet decided on seeking the death penalty.
Scheduled for a pretrial hearing in September, Reiner is currently represented by public defender Kimberly Greene. The June filing revealed that aside from the family trust fund, individual trust funds were established for the Reiner children, with Nick entitled to half at 30 and the remainder at 35. However, he alleged in a petition that he had not received the funds due to him at 30, claiming he was being unlawfully denied access to his rightful money.
High-profile attorney Alan Jackson was initially hired to represent Reiner but departed shortly thereafter without specifying a reason. The filing disclosed that Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, initially agreed to cover their brother’s legal expenses before reversing their decision. Jackson expressed willingness to rejoin the case if the funds were accessible.
Regarding the trust fund, previous overseer Paul R. Kanin and incoming trustee Jodi Pais Montgomery determined in court documents that the pending outcome of Reiner’s criminal case prevented the distribution of funds at present. The filing emphasized that the trust fund could not be accessed until the impact of Probate Code Section 250 and related “slayer statute” principles on Reiner’s entitlement is clear.
Eight months post the tragic events, many details remain undisclosed to the public, with no official speculation on motives by authorities. Jake Reiner, the eldest sibling, shared in April the harrowing experience of his parents’ murder and the focus on allegations concerning his brother.
Reiner’s film legacy includes notable works such as “The Princess Bride,” “A Few Good Men,” and “Stand By Me.” His wife Michele, whom he met during the filming of “When Harry Met Sally,” was his partner for 36 years.