Alan Jackson, the criminal defence lawyer representing Nick Reiner, withdrew from the high-profile murder case on Wednesday during what was scheduled to be his client's arraignment hearing.
Judge Theresa McGonigle approved the request, with deputy public defender Kimberly Greene stepping in to take over the defence.
The unexpected development forced a postponement of the arraignment, which has now been rescheduled for February 23.
Mr Jackson offered no explanation for his decision to leave the case. The attorney had previously represented high-profile clients, including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.
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Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer | GETTYNick Reiner, 32, remains in custody without bail at a Los Angeles jail following his arrest in connection with his parents' deaths.
The 32-year-old faces two counts of first-degree murder for allegedly killing his parents, beloved Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges last month following the couple's deaths on December 14.
Nick Reiner had opened up in the past about his struggles with addiction | GETTYRob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were discovered dead in the primary bedroom of their Brentwood home.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office determined both had suffered multiple sharp force injuries.
Prosecutors allege Nick Reiner fatally stabbed his parents at the property.
He was taken into custody without incident on December 14 near the University of Southern California, according to police officials.
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Rob Reiner and Michele Singer were found dead at their home | GETTYAuthorities have yet to identify a possible motive for the alleged killings.
"I have no choice but to step down of counsel of record," Mr Jackson told the court during Wednesday's proceedings.
Speaking to journalists gathered outside the courthouse following the hearing, the departing lawyer expressed continued support for his former client.
Mr Jackson stated that his team wished Nick Reiner "the very, very best moving forward" and maintained that his former client was "not guilty."
Prior to his withdrawal, Mr Jackson had urged the public not to rush to judgement about the case, asking people to act "with restraint and with dignity and with the respect that this system and this process deserves and that the family deserves."
The attorney's departure marks a significant shift in the defence strategy just weeks before the rescheduled arraignment.
A spokesman for the Reiner family issued a statement following Wednesday's court proceedings: "They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings."
Should Nick Reiner be found guilty, he faces either the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
COURT SKETCH: Nick Reiner, wearing a blue protective vest, makes his first court appearance on murder charges for the killing of his parents | REUTERSDistrict Attorney Hochman indicated last month that prosecutors had not yet reached a decision on whether to pursue capital punishment in the case.
The slayings of the acclaimed Hollywood director and his wife, who worked as a photographer and producer, have drawn significant public attention since the couple were discovered dead at their home shortly before Christmas.
Rob Reiner established himself as a television star through the 1970s sitcom All in the Family before transitioning to directing some of Hollywood's most celebrated films, including This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me and When Harry Met Sally...
Nick Reiner has previously spoken publicly about his battles with drug addiction. In an interview with People magazine a decade ago, he revealed he had spent weeks sleeping rough and had been in and out of rehabilitation facilities since the age of 15.
Those experiences formed the basis for the 2016 film Being Charlie, which Nick Reiner co-wrote and his father directed.
Two of Nick Reiner's siblings released a statement following their parents' deaths, asking "for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity".
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