The mental state of Nick Reiner, who struggled for years with substance abuse and had been prescribed a schizophrenia drug, has now taken center stage in his legal battle. But if the case is strong, the trial could revolve around his mental state and the length of sentence. Those findings could be the basis for discussions of a plea deal or the beginning of an insanity defense, attorneys say. If convicted of first-degree murder, Reiner is facing possible life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. It’s possible, Levenson said, that the defense will be able to present compelling evidence of mental disorder to prosecutors to resolve the case before trial.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 07, 2026 00:19 UTC