Nick Reiner's attorneys push back on Slayer Statute claim

Nick Reiner's attorneys are continuing to argue that he should have access to his family trust, pointing out that a significant portion of the roughly $1.6 million fund actually came from his late grandfather, legendary entertainer Carl Reiner, rather than his parents.

Nick, who has been held at Twin Towers Correctional Facility for nearly a year awaiting trial on murder charges connected to the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has pleaded not guilty. 

The latest move from Nick's legal team comes in response as his current trustee has cited California's Slayer Statute, a law that can prevent someone from financially benefiting from a killing, as one reason for withholding the funds.

However, according to court documents, Nick's legal team argues that law shouldn't apply to money that was already his before his parents died. 

They state that at least $325,000 came directly from Carl Reiner's estate after his death in 2020, separate from anything tied to his parents, and argue that money should be released regardless of the ongoing criminal case.

The filings also claim Nick hasn't even had access to even small amounts of trust money for basic jail commissary purchases.

The dispute has reportedly divided the Reiner family, with sources saying Nick's siblings, Jake and Romy, have chosen not to support his effort to access the funds while they process their parents' deaths. 

Nick was indicted in July on two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances. Prosecutors have said they will not seek the death penalty, though he could face life in prison without parole if convicted.

Despite the weight of the allegations against Nick, his attorneys maintain that his siblings haven't formally objected to the trust petition and previously agreed in writing to release funds for his legal defense earlier this year.