LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nick Reiner is set to be arraigned and enter a plea Wednesday in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
His scheduled appearance in a Los Angeles Superior Court follows the shocking discovery of the beloved actor-director and his wife's bodies, both found with stab wounds in their upscale Brentwood home. Authorities reported their deaths occurred early on December 14, with their bodies discovered later that day.
Nick Reiner, who is 32 years old and the youngest of Rob Reiner's four children, was arrested shortly after the incident and has been held without bail. He faces serious accusations with two counts of first-degree murder leveled against him. He did not enter a plea during a brief initial court appearance in December, appearing in shackles and a suicide prevention smock.
The upcoming court appearance raises anticipation around the potential plea, as nearly all defendants typically enter not guilty pleas at this preliminary stage. His attorney, Alan Jackson, has not revealed plans for his defense, potentially signaling a request for a delay or other strategic moves.
If he pleads not guilty, the case would naturally progress towards a preliminary hearing to establish whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant a trial. Additionally, questions around his mental competency for trial may influence the proceedings.
A decade ago, Nick shared his struggles with addiction and mental health, notably following the film 'Being Charlie,' loosely based on his experiences with his father.
Prosecutors have indicated they have yet to decide on seeking the death penalty, which would be complicated further by the special circumstances of multiple murders in this case, involving the use of a dangerous weapon.
Rob Reiner was a celebrated filmmaker, known for classics such as "This is Spinal Tap," "Stand By Me," "A Few Good Men," and "When Harry Met Sally," the latter of which marked the beginning of his marriage to Michele Singer, who was aged 70 at the time of her passing.
The community remains shaken by the tragedy, particularly as the case unfolds under the scrutiny typical of high-profile legal matters.
