LOS ANGELES (AP) — So, it’s come to this: Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of famous director and actor Rob Reiner, is expected to make his initial court appearance Wednesday, dealing with two heavy counts of first-degree murder for the tragic killing of his parents.
On Tuesday, authorities formally charged Nick with the horrifying murders of his 78-year-old father Rob and mother Michele Singer Reiner, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman in a recent press conference alongside LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell.
“The loss is so tragic, and we are dedicated to ensuring justice for their murderer,” stated Hochman during his announcement.
Along with charging him with murder, prosecutors are piling on by including special circumstances due to the nature of the crime — there were multiple murders involved and evidence suggesting he used a knife, which could increase his sentence. Notably, Hochman did mention that they’re still considering whether to push for the death penalty.
“This case is heartbreakingly personal, not just for the Reiner family but for everyone in our city,” lamented McDonnell.
This gut-wrenching news comes just two days after police found the couple dead in their upscale Brentwood home, suffering from what appeared to be stab wounds. Nick was arrested without incident hours later in Exposition Park, about 14 miles away from the crime scene.
Rob Reiner was well-known as the star of the classic sitcom “All in the Family” and he went on to become one of the best directors around with hits like “When Harry Met Sally…” and “The Princess Bride.” He also had a long history of being an outspoken liberal activist. His wife Michele was not just his partner but also a talented photographer and LGBTQ+ rights advocate. Together, they celebrated 36 years of marriage.
Just recently, their friends, including notable actors such as Billy Crystal, Albert Brooks, and Martin Short, shared heartfelt statements reminiscing about the couple and expressing their sorrow during such a tough time.
“They were an inspiring duo — dynamic, selfless, and full of life. They’ll be missed fiercely,” was a poignant sentiment from the statement released.
Nick was initially meant to appear in court earlier Tuesday, but his attorney, Alan Jackson, mentioned that he couldn’t be transported from jail due to medical issues, resulting in a delay.
Come Wednesday, Nick might submit a plea, or it’s possible that yet another delay could happen, depending on the issue that kept him from making his previous court appearance. At the moment, he remains behind bars without bail.
On one side, his representation is attorney Alan Jackson, known for his high-profile cases, including defending Harvey Weinstein at trial. On the opposing end is Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian, who recently dealt with high-profile trials related to the Menendez brothers and Robert Durst.
As of now, investigators aren’t sharing much regarding the motive behind this horrible act and kept the details sparse during the press conferences.
