Nick Reiner, aged 32, son of famous Hollywood figure Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, entered a plea of not guilty on Monday for two counts of first-degree murder following the deaths of his parents more than two months ago. This marks the first time he has denied the accusation of fatally stabbing his parents. Represented by his new attorney, Kimberly Greene, Nick Reiner made his plea while standing in a crowded Los Angeles courtroom.
The third child of Rob Reiner, Nick has been held in custody without bail since his arrest shortly after the discovery of his parents’ bodies on December 14 at their residence in the affluent Brentwood area of Los Angeles. During his court appearance, Reiner, with a shaved head and light facial hair, was dressed in brown jail attire. He briefly conversed with his lawyer through the glass before the proceedings began. At one point, they communicated face to face as a low door in the enclosure was opened.
Reiner, not wearing the suicide prevention smock from his initial court appearance, faced delays in entering his plea, primarily due to changes in defense attorneys. The judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for April 29, during which prosecutors will present evidence, and a new judge, Sam Ohta, will determine if the case proceeds to trial. The decision on whether to pursue the death penalty for Reiner is pending, as mentioned by District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who highlighted the thorough review process considering all circumstances.
Despite the not guilty plea, common at this stage of criminal proceedings, Reiner’s previous attorney, Alan Jackson, had to step down from the case in January due to undisclosed reasons. Jackson asserted Reiner’s innocence under California law before parting ways. Authorities have not disclosed potential motives for the killings, maintaining a low profile on case details. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s initial findings revealed that Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, succumbed to “multiple sharp force injuries.” The case remains under scrutiny as the legal process unfolds.