Nick Reiner Pleads Not Guilty in Parents’ Murders

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, pleaded not guilty Monday to two counts of first-degree murder, more than two months after his parents’ deaths. This marks the first time he has formally denied fatally stabbing his parents.

Plea Entered on Behalf of Reiner

Reiner’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, entered the plea on his behalf as he stood behind glass in an enclosed custody area of the Los Angeles courtroom. Reiner, the third of Rob Reiner’s four children, has been held without bail since his arrest hours after Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead on December 14 at their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Appearance and Previous Legal Proceedings

Reiner appeared in court with a shaved head and light facial hair, wearing brown jail clothes. He briefly spoke with his lawyer through the glass before the hearing commenced. He only verbally confirmed he understood the proceedings when asked by Judge Theresa R. McGonigle. Reiner was not wearing a suicide prevention smock, which he wore during a previous court appearance in December.

This plea attempt was the third time Reiner had been scheduled to enter a plea, with previous attempts delayed due to changes in his legal representation.

Next Steps and Potential Penalties

Judge McGonigle scheduled Reiner’s return to court for April 29, for the scheduling of a preliminary hearing. During this hearing, prosecutors will present evidence, and a new judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. The case will be overseen by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta, who has presided over numerous high-profile murder, manslaughter, and public corruption cases.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that his office is still evaluating whether to seek the death penalty in the case, emphasizing that the decision-making process is “very rigorous” and will consider all “aggravating and mitigating circumstances.”

Former Counsel’s Statement

Reiner’s not guilty plea is standard procedure at this stage of a criminal case. His former attorney, Alan Jackson, previously declared that “pursuant to the laws of California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder” before withdrawing from the case, citing ethical constraints.

Investigation and Findings

Authorities have released limited information regarding a possible motive. Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, died from “multiple sharp force injuries,” according to initial findings from the LA County Medical Examiner. A court order has restricted the public release of further details. Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian confirmed that the full autopsy report is still pending.

The Reiner Family Legacy

Rob Reiner is a celebrated director known for iconic films such as “This is Spinal Tap,” “Stand By Me,” “A Few Good Men,” and “When Harry Met Sally…,” where he met his wife, Michele Singer. The couple was married for 36 years.