Why the Nick Reiner Case Could Test America’s Insanity Defense

Prefer to Read? 📖 HereA homicide case in Hollywood is about to test one of the most controversial doctrines in American law: the insanity defense.Nick Reiner, the son of filmmaker Rob Reiner, is accused of killing his parents in Los Angeles. His case could hinge on whether severe mental illness can erase criminal responsibility under U.S. law - a legal standard that dates back to 19th-century England.In this episode of Atlantic Lens, journalist Marta Dhanis examines how American courts evaluate insanity claims, why the legal threshold is so high, and how the U.S. approach contrasts with a recent verdict in Ireland where a jury accepted a psychiatric defense after a killing.Drawing on courtroom experience covering major criminal trials in New York, this episode explores a deeper question: how should modern justice systems judge actions committed by a mind in psychosis?Thanks for reading Atlantic Lens by Marta Dhanis! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Atlantic Lens by Marta Dhanis at atlanticlens.substack.com/subscribe