Nick Reiner, aged 32 and the son of Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, formally denied the allegations of killing his parents by pleading not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder during a court appearance in Los Angeles. Represented by his new attorney Kimberly Greene, Reiner has been in custody without bail since his arrest following the tragic deaths of his father and mother on December 14 in the affluent Brentwood area of Los Angeles.
Standing in a secure custody area within the courtroom, Reiner, the third child of Rob Reiner, sported a shaved head and light facial hair, clad in brown jail attire. Despite previous delays, including changes in legal representation, Reiner finally entered his plea. The judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for April 29 to evaluate the evidence presented by the prosecution before determining whether the case proceeds to trial.
The proceedings will be overseen by Judge Sam Ohta, a seasoned judge known for handling high-profile cases, although none have garnered as much public attention as Reiner’s case. District Attorney Nathan Hochman mentioned that the decision on seeking the death penalty for Reiner is pending, subject to a thorough review of all circumstances surrounding the case.
Reiner’s plea of not guilty is a standard legal procedure at this stage. His previous lawyer, Alan Jackson, withdrew from the case citing unforeseen circumstances. Jackson maintained Reiner’s innocence, a sentiment echoed by Reiner’s latest plea. The case remains shrouded in mystery as authorities have not disclosed any potential motives or further details about the tragic incident.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s initial findings revealed that Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner succumbed to “multiple sharp force injuries” prior to their discovery. Rob Reiner, a revered filmmaker known for classic movies like “This is Spinal Tap” and “When Harry Met Sally…”, had a significant impact on the film industry and was married to Michele Singer for 36 years.