California's Insanity Defense Doesn't Require "Right From Wrong" — What That Means For Nick Reiner

California's insanity standard is different from what most people assume. You don't have to prove the defendant didn't know right from wrong. You only have to prove he didn't understand the "nature and quality" of his actions. TMZ's documentary cited the David Carmichael case — a father who methodically planned his son's killing but was found not criminally responsible because he was operating under a psychotic delusion. Could that same legal standard apply to Nick Reiner? Defense attorney Bob Motta joins Hidden Killers to map out the road ahead. 

Nick is reportedly not competent to stand trial. His medication for schizoaffective disorder was changed approximately one month before the murders because he complained about weight gain. Sources say the medication still isn't working properly in jail. But here's the part that should stop everyone cold: Nick reportedly admits to killing his parents Rob and Michele Reiner. He's telling people he did it. But he allegedly doesn't understand why he's in jail. He believes his incarceration is part of a conspiracy against him.

For 32 years, every system Nick touched conspired to protect him from consequences. More than 18 rehab facilities cashed checks and released him after 30 days. His family spent a fortune trying to save him. A family associate told the New York Times that the Reiners had "grown used to" his behavior.

Now the conspiracy has flipped. Prosecutor Habib Balian — the man who handled the Menendez brothers and Robert Durst — is on the case. A new DA campaigned on being tough on crime. Nick's siblings reportedly oppose the death penalty, but that may not matter.

Bob Motta breaks down the critical distinction between competency and legal insanity, what Alan Jackson's withdrawal signals, and whether Nick Reiner can beat the system one more time.

#NickReiner #RobReiner #MicheleReiner #InsanityDefense #BobMotta #HiddenKillers #CaliforniaLaw #Schizoaffective #TrueCrime #ReinerCase

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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.