In 2004, David Carmichael crushed sleeping pills into his 11-year-old son's orange juice and strangled him to death. He planned it. He researched murder sentences. He expected prison. Two years later, he walked free. The reason? A legal test written in 1843 called the M'Naghten Rule—the same test that will likely determine Nick Reiner's fate.

Nick Reiner is charged with murdering his parents, director Rob Reiner and philanthropist Michele Singer Reiner, in their Brentwood home. He reportedly admits to the killings but believes his incarceration is a conspiracy against him. His medication for schizoaffective disorder was changed approximately one month before the alleged murders. His defense attorney just withdrew from the case. He's now represented by a public defender.

The M'Naghten Rule asks two questions: Did the defendant understand the nature and quality of the act? Did they know it was wrong? You only need to fail one test. Carmichael couldn't claim he didn't know killing was wrong—he planned for prison. But he succeeded on nature and quality because his delusion changed what he believed he was doing. He thought he was ending his son's suffering, not murdering a healthy child.

Nick Reiner's post-offense behavior—checking into a hotel, navigating Los Angeles for 24 hours—suggests he knew something was wrong. That kills prong two. But can he argue his perception was so distorted he didn't understand the true nature of the act? That's the question. And the answer depends on what delusion, if any, distorted his reality that night.

A rule from 1843 is about to collide with modern psychiatry. The outcome will determine whether Nick Reiner faces death row or a psychiatric facility.

#NickReiner #RobReiner #InsanityDefense #MNaghtenRule #DavidCarmichael #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #BrentwoodMurders #MentalHealth #CriminalJustice

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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.