Nick Reiner’s bid to access his $1.5 million trust has been blocked by the trustee overseeing the funds.
Court documents filed this week argue that California’s “slayer statute” prevents Reiner, who is charged with murdering his parents Rob and Michele Reiner, from receiving the money, The New York Times reports.
Lauriann Wright, an attorney for professional fiduciary Jodi Pais Montgomery, cited the law in the filing, arguing that it bars someone accused of intentionally killing a person from benefiting from their estate or trust.
Under the statute, Nick’s share of the trust would instead pass to his siblings, Romy and Jake Reiner. Wright acknowledged that Nick remains presumed innocent but argued that releasing the money now would be “irreversible.”
Nick’s attorney, Anita P. Wu, pushed back, saying, “The slayer statute requires a determination, not a mere accusation. Nick is presumed innocent and has been convicted of nothing.”
Rob, 78, and Michele, 70, were found stabbed to death at their Brentwood home in December. Nick was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder before pleading not guilty in February.
He faces a maximum sentence of life without parole or the death penalty.
