Ep. 38: Inside the Nick Reiner Defense Strategy: Insanity Plea, Mental Health, and When a “Win” Is a Loss

In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner brings discusses Alan Jackson’s withdrawal from the Nick Reiner case and the future of his defense strategy with private attorney and former public defender Nathan Lockwood, whose work focuses on serious violent offenses including homicides. Upon his withdrawal from the case, Alan Jackson made a public statement indicating that “pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder.” Dr. Glasner’s discussion with Mr. Lockwood examines the possibility of an insanity defense strategy for Reiner, the legal basis and potential case for this defense, and what it would mean for Nick Reiner to be acquitted or found “not guilty by reason of insanity.”You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here.

Dr. Glasner and Mr. Lockwood discuss myths and common misconceptions about gaining freedom after an insanity-based acquittal, the nature and limitations of the mental health care system within the Department of Corrections, and the pressures faced by public defenders when representing high profile cases such as that of Nick Reiner.

I hope that this episode helps you understand the complexities surrounding the insanity defense and the psychological mindset of individuals who perform violent acts in the context of severe mental illness and addiction.

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