Nick Reiner, 32, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his parents, acclaimed film director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner. The plea was entered on Monday by his new attorney, public defender Kimberly Greene, during an arraignment in a Los Angeles courtroom.
Reiner, who appeared behind glass wearing brown jail clothes, has been held without bail since his arrest in December. He was charged with first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders and the use of a dangerous weapon. The Los Angeles County medical examiner ruled the deaths were caused by “multiple sharp force injuries”.
Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian told the judge that the full autopsy report is still pending. District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated after the arraignment that the case is eligible for the death penalty, but no decision has been made, adding, “We will be looking at all aggravating and mitigating circumstances.”
Court documents and media reports have highlighted Reiner’s long history of struggles with addiction and mental illness. He was under a conservatorship in 2020 because of his mental health issues and had reportedly been prescribed medication used to treat schizophrenia. His behaviour was said to have become increasingly erratic before the killings.
The night before the bodies were discovered, the couple attended a Christmas party at comedian Conan O’Brien’s home, where Rob and Nick Reiner were heard arguing. O’Brien later described the couple as “lovely people” and expressed shock at the tragedy. Nick Reiner’s former attorney, Alan Jackson, who stepped down citing circumstances beyond his control, maintained that his client is not guilty of murder.
