Community Chat

[NYwoman]

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@RescueLover wrote:


What’s interesting is that TMZ reports that the Public Defender will likely be temporary and replaced by an atty the family hires.

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The public defender could be replaced by another public defender or a another private attorney.   It would have to be some one that Nick could "get along with".

[NYwoman]

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@shoekitty wrote:

There may be several reasons why Mr Jackson resigned. We might never know as well. I might guess one reason is money. In California, no one guilty of murder can inherit from that estate.    Also,.. I hear from other Attorneys Jackson's retainer is in 7 figures. That's to start, family wouldn't  know where it would end, or how long this would go on.    perhaos there was some legal or tax issue with money coming out of Estate. I also heard fromNYT, Alan Jackson had a resistant client. Perhaps son is not co operating with his council,or is refusing to cop mental illness, or a certain plea lawyer feels is in best interests. ?  Alan said he resigned due to circumstances beyond control. So who knows. Money and a rebellious client would be a good one.  

maybe family decided best  way was to go with PD.  Son did get a very good, seasoned and experienced PD. Other lawyers feel he is in good hands.  Another reason I thought of besides money and legal issues.....is there is just way more to this story than anyone knows. Alan Jackson was hired almost immediately after Nicks capture.  Maybe after all was gone over, family had time to digest some of the horror and facts, evidence became apparent, this was the best scenario,

I am sure this case will have many twists and turns

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All excellent observations.   If Nick would not interact / cooperate with Alan Jackson then he could not represent him.   If Mr Jackson was paid for by the family and Nick, therefore, did not "trust" him, he could not represent him.   If Nick will not / cannot admit points of the case i.e. his part in the murder or his being mentally ill when Mr. Jackson asked him about it, he could not represent him.   

A public defender could work with an uncooperative client, with that stated.   

I have worked in another state's public defender office and have seen appointments and the financial decisions behind them.   I did the reimbursements as directed by the court.

[NYwoman]

It could be that the court / Judge decided that the family could not choose and / or pay for Nick's defense counsel because they will have to testify as to the discovery of the victims and the mental history of Nick as part of the trial.   A conflict of interest.

[beckyb1012]

Paying or not paying for his attorney does not matter one way or the other about testifying in a possible trial.  If it goes to trial the family will be put on the stand.  

No family is obligated to pay for a family member's legal fees.  

[CalminHeart]

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@willowbark wrote:

The news conference was so indicative of what is wrong with Ca.  Geez Louise. 

If ony the coroner can release information why did the Mayor flap her gums. 

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There was absolutly nothing different than how every other police dept in every other state would handle it. Police sure aren't going to release many details because of the charges. 

[RescueLover]

Could it be that the HIPPA Law was making it impossible for Alan Jackson to get what he needed for the case. Especially if Nick did not consent for him to have it.


When TMZ said the family is going to get another atty and it’s likely the Public Defender assigned won’t even be used.


Could it be their looking for one that is more specialized in Mental Health cases ?

[Group 5 minus 1]

No matter what they are talking about,it is always about the money.

[Tinkrbl44]

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@Group 5 minus 1 wrote:

No matter what they are talking about,it is always about the money.

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@Group 5 minus 1 

It's always about money ... or sex.  Nothing new there.  

[Tinkrbl44]

Based on what I'm hearing today, I think Alan Jackson decided to save face and just quit.

Nick killed his parents, and Alan can't disprove that in trial.  A trial would be a waste of everyone's time.

So all Alan could do is get a plea deal for a mental health facility.

You don't need to pay seven figures to an attorney who would be doing mostly paperwork.  

Charging the Reiner family for how this is going to play out is taking advantage of them, and it would make Alan look bad.

Just my two cents on today's information. 

[shoekitty]

I did want to clarify something's posters mentioned. If family, or an estate pay for representation ..they still have no say what so ever in how council proceeds.  The way defense works, is with the accused...if they are of age. The attorney can suggest, discuss with, try to persuade a client....if client refuses that's it.  a private attorney can go to judge and ask to be excused. And it's granted   A DA is totally different.  There are times a DA can't even excuse  themselves.  They have to proceed, even if they hate client, lol. I think there might have been some legal issues/conflict of interest  with the money coming from estate deceased.  In CA it would be okay I am sure for one of the children or family to pay personally out their own pocket for defense. Perhaps  the kids don't have, or are not willing to do this. I might,( if in same position )  go with this DA, instead of depleting my life's earnings. Or, mortgaging home for a case that has no chance of repayment.  They might have felt, legally this is the best option for him. Alan Jackson would  have said his client is not guilty. It would have been unethical to say anything else IMO. I am sure he is thinking, he IS not guilty (by reason mental incapacity).   Anyway, just what I think