Son of Hollywood Director Rob Reiner Pleads Not Guilty to Parents' Murder
Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner, entered a plea of not guilty on Monday to two counts of first-degree murder. This marks the first formal denial from Reiner regarding allegations that he fatally stabbed his parents more than two months ago.
Court Appearance and Legal Proceedings
Reiner's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, submitted the not guilty plea on his behalf during a packed hearing at a Los Angeles courtroom. Reiner stood behind glass in an enclosed custody area, communicating briefly with his lawyer through the barrier before the proceedings began.
The judge has scheduled Reiner to return to court on April 29 for a preliminary hearing. During this session, prosecutors will present evidence, and a new judge will determine whether there is sufficient grounds for the case to proceed to trial. The case has been assigned to longtime Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta, who has presided over numerous high-profile murder and corruption cases in recent years.
Background of the Case
Nick Reiner, the third of Rob Reiner's four children, has been held without bail since his arrest on December 14. That was the day his parents were discovered deceased at their upscale Brentwood home in Los Angeles. The initial findings from the LA County Medical Examiner indicated that both Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, died from "multiple sharp force injuries." Authorities believe the killings occurred hours before the bodies were found.
Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian stated that while the full autopsy report is still pending, all other evidence has been provided to the defense. A court order currently restricts the public release of additional case details.
Legal Developments and Defense Changes
This court appearance was the third attempt to enter a plea, with previous delays attributed to complexities in the high-stakes case, including an unexpected change in defense representation. Reiner's former attorney, prominent private lawyer Alan Jackson, withdrew from the case at the last hearing, citing undisclosed ethical reasons beyond his and his client's control. Jackson had previously asserted that "pursuant to the laws of California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder," a position now formalized by Monday's plea.
Outside the courtroom, District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed that his office has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty against Reiner. Hochman emphasized that this decision involves a rigorous evaluation of all aggravating and mitigating circumstances.
Personal Details and Media Attention
During the hearing, Reiner appeared with a shaved head and light facial hair, dressed in standard brown jail attire. Notably, he was not wearing the suicide prevention smock that he had on during his initial court appearance in December, shortly after the killings. Reiner spoke only once during the proceedings, answering "yes" when asked if he waived his right to a speedy progression of the case.
The case has attracted significant national media attention, partly due to the prominence of the victims. Rob Reiner was a prolific director responsible for iconic films such as "This is Spinal Tap," "Stand By Me," "A Few Good Men," and "When Harry Met Sally..." He met photographer Michele Singer during the production of the latter film, and they married soon after, sharing 36 years together.
Authorities have remained tight-lipped about potential motives, and there have been virtually no leaks from either side, leaving many fundamental questions about the killings unanswered publicly. The case continues to unfold under intense scrutiny as the legal process moves forward.
