Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty Monday to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, during a brief hearing in downtown Los Angeles.
Reiner, 33, is accused of fatally stabbing his 78-year-old father and 70-year-old mother in the early morning hours of Dec. 14 at their Brentwood home, according to authorities. Their bodies were discovered roughly 12 hours later in the master bedroom by their daughter. Police arrested Reiner that evening near a gas station in South Los Angeles.
According to the LA Times, Reiner, appearing in a brown jail jumpsuit, spoke only to answer routine questions from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Teresa McGonigle. His arraignment was delayed for weeks due to procedural issues. He is scheduled to return to court in late April.
Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman said the case is unlikely to move quickly toward a preliminary hearing, given the volume of evidence that must be reviewed. Reiner is charged with murder with special circumstances, making him eligible for the death penalty. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.
A motive has not been publicly disclosed. Reports have surfaced that Reiner and his parents argued at a party shortly before the killings.
Reiner is now represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office after high-profile defense attorney Alan Jackson withdrew from the case last month. Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene is serving as lead counsel. Greene has not commented on how, or whether, Reiner’s documented history of mental health struggles and addiction issues may factor into his defense. It remains unclear whether he will pursue an insanity defense.
Reiner has spoken publicly in the past about his battles with substance abuse and recovery. In 2015, he collaborated with his father on Being Charlie, a semi-autobiographical film about addiction that the two co-wrote. He has also discussed prior drug use and destructive behavior during podcast appearances.
Rob Reiner, a celebrated director and actor, was known for films including When Harry Met Sally…, Stand by Me and This Is Spinal Tap. He met Michele Singer Reiner during the making of When Harry Met Sally…, and later said he altered the film’s ending to keep the central couple together after falling in love with her during production.
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Nick Reiner scheduled to appear in court following parents’ deaths
