How Nick Reiner's substance abuse history could twist murder charges?

Nick Reiner, the youngest son of Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, has been accused of the murder of his parents. 

Questions arise whether he will plead insanity, as Nick had a consistent history of substance abuse and mental health issues over the years. 

During an interview with People, legal analyst Neama Rahmani, who is an attorney at West Coast Trial Lawyers, discussed the possibilities based on his expertise.

He stated that the insanity defence is very difficult, particularly in California, adding, “You have to prove, between disease or defect, that the defendant does not know the nature and consequences of his actions."

Essentially, he mentioned that the lawyer has to prove that the defendant doesn't know right and wrong.

Moreover, he added that pleading insanity does not assure lenient penalty, “Jurors almost always reject this defense. It only works a very small percentage of the time.”

For the unfamiliar, Nick is charged with two counts of first-degree murder of his parents.

Naema further noted that “First-degree murder requires premeditation. So that's plotting, planning, doing something intentionally."

However, he shared, "There is a possibility that the defense may use the schizophrenia to argue that there's no premeditation. That would knock first-degree murder down to second degree." 

Similarly, Randy Zelin, an ex-prosecutor, shared the same possibility that the accused defense team could use his “history of mental disease and addiction” to reduce sentencing to manslaughter.

Potentially, “taking the death penalty off the table… Mental health experts here are equally, if not more relevant than the lawyering.”

It is pertinent to mention that the 32-year-old is represented in court by Alan Jackson.