Nick Reiner Seeks Access to Trust Funds for Legal Defense

Nick Reiner, the son of director Rob Reiner, has filed a petition in Los Angeles County court seeking access to unpaid funds from a trust established by his parents. He claims the trustees have unjustly denied him these funds, which he argues are necessary for his legal defense against murder charges related to the deaths of his parents, who were found stabbed in their home on December 14. Reiner, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder, asserts that he is presumed innocent and entitled to use his own resources for his defense. The petition notes that the trust has at least $1.5 million in assets, but the trustee, attorney Paul R. Kanin, has not disclosed the exact amount. Reiner's previous attorney, Alan Jackson, indicated he would resume representation if the funds become available. The case is currently proceeding slowly, with a pretrial hearing scheduled for September. The District Attorney has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.