Nick Reiner's Last Card: The Insanity Defense That Freed a Child Killer — Will It Work for Him?

Two men killed family members. One walked free after two years in a psychiatric facility. The other is sitting in a Los Angeles jail right now, facing the death penalty. The legal standard that saved the first could theoretically save the second. Tony Brueski breaks down the case that could define Nick Reiner's defense strategy.

David Carmichael killed his 11-year-old son Ian in a London, Ontario hotel room in 2004. He'd researched murder charges. He expected prison. He planned the whole thing. But both prosecution and defense psychiatrists agreed—Carmichael was in a psychotic state triggered by the antidepressant Paxil. He believed his healthy son was brain-damaged and suffering. In his mind, he wasn't committing murder. He was ending suffering. Under the M'Naghten rule, he didn't understand the "nature and quality" of his actions. Verdict: not criminally responsible.

California uses the same legal standard. Nick Reiner's medication was reportedly changed one month before he allegedly stabbed his parents to death. Sources say he admits to the killings but believes his incarceration is a conspiracy. The same defense could apply.

But Carmichael had no history of manipulation. Nick has 30 years of it—18-plus rehab facilities, a lifetime of gaming systems. Carmichael didn't flee. Nick reportedly checked into a hotel and spent 24 hours moving through Los Angeles. The precedent exists. The legal pathway exists. But making it work requires something Nick Reiner has never had: credibility.

#NickReiner #RobReiner #DavidCarmichael #InsanityDefense #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #Podcast #ReinerCase #CriminalLaw #MentalHealth

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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.