Defense Attorney Bob Motta: Nick Reiner's Only Path To Avoiding Prison | Competency, Insanity & The Medication Defense

In our most comprehensive legal breakdown yet, defense attorney Bob Motta analyzes every angle of Nick Reiner's defense strategy following the collapse of his legal team and the latest revelations from TMZ's documentary.

Alan Jackson withdrew from the case with 10 outstanding subpoenas, citing disagreements with his client. Nick is now represented by public defender Kimberly Greene and reportedly isn't competent to stand trial — his medication still isn't stabilized and sources say he's delusional, believing his incarceration is a conspiracy. But competency and insanity are two different legal questions, and Bob explains how both will play out in the months ahead.

California's insanity standard is central to this case. The defense doesn't need to prove Nick didn't know killing was wrong — only that he didn't understand the "nature and quality" of his actions. TMZ's documentary cited David Carmichael, who planned a killing while in a psychotic state and was found not criminally responsible. Could that precedent save Nick Reiner from prison?

Bob breaks down the medication change made one month before the murders after Nick complained about weight gain. He explains the missing murder weapon and what "limited investigative value" suggests about Nick's statements to investigators. He analyzes Nick's post-offense behavior — checking into a hotel, buying a drink at a gas station, navigating LA for 24 hours — and why that creates serious problems for any insanity claim. Prosecutors will argue Nick had presence of mind. The defense must counter that with evidence of psychotic detachment.

Bob also addresses whether victim family sentiment matters. Nick's siblings reportedly oppose the death penalty. How much influence does that have on prosecutor Habib Balian's charging decisions? And who else might face liability — the doctors who changed Nick's medication, the facilities that released him?

This is the legal roadmap for a case that may take years to resolve.

#NickReiner #RobReiner #MicheleReiner #ReinerCase #InsanityDefense #CompetencyHearing #AlanJackson #DefenseStrategy #BobMotta #CaliforniaLaw

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This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.