Nick Reiner, who faces murder charges in the deaths of his parents, has been denied access to his trust fund for legal defense expenses due to California's "slayer statute." The statute prevents individuals from inheriting or accessing funds from an estate they are accused of feloniously and intentionally killing.
Reiner, 32, was indicted by a grand jury on two murder charges for the alleged stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, at their Los Angeles mansion in December. Prosecutors allege Reiner lay in wait for his parents and then slashed their throats as they slept. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include special circumstances for multiple murder and using a deadly weapon.
Reiner had sought to use the approximately $1.6 million trust fund, established by his parents, to rehire high-profile lawyer Alan Jackson, who previously represented Karen Read and Kevin Spacey. Reiner has been represented by a public defender since his arrest.
Jodi Pais Montgomery, the professional fiduciary overseeing the trust, has refused to disburse any funds, citing the slayer statute. Her attorney, Lauriann Wright, stated in court papers that "California has enacted no exception permitting a killer's inheritance to be used for criminal defense costs." The filing further indicated that the trust funds would instead be paid to Reiner's siblings, Romy and Jake, who are also beneficiaries and for whom Montgomery has a fiduciary responsibility.
Reiner's public defender, Anita Wu, countered that the slayer statute is not applicable as Reiner has not yet been convicted and is presumed innocent. "The slayer statute requires a determination, not a mere accusation. Nick is presumed innocent and has been convicted of nothing," Wu argued. She also contested the trustee's inability to retroactively erase a $558,000 payment Reiner was due on his 30th birthday, which he had claimed was withheld.
A hearing is scheduled to address the trust fund issue. Reiner's defense team argues that withholding the funds prejudices his ability to mount a defense, as he lacks other financial resources for legal fees and basic necessities while incarcerated.
Reiner has a history of mental health and substance abuse issues. At the time of the alleged killings, he was living in a guesthouse on his parents' property. The indictment added a charge of lying in wait, a special circumstance that could lead to a sentence of life without parole or the death penalty if convicted. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office has indicated that the death penalty is being considered.
Reiner has been held without bail since his arrest and is awaiting a court appearance in September. He was reportedly seen having a loud argument with his father at a holiday party hours before his parents' bodies were discovered by his sister.