Topline
Nick Reiner was indicted on two murder charges in the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, pleading not guilty in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Key Facts
A grand jury indictment added a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait, which can result in harsher punishments.
Reiner is also facing special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and a special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife.
Reiner could face the death penalty if convicted (though California has not carried out an execution since 2006) or life in state prison without the possibility of parole.
CRUCIAL QUOTE
“This was a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement.
What To Watch For
A trial date has not been set for Reiner, who will attend a pretrial hearing on Sept. 15.
Key Background
Reiner was accused of fatally stabbing his parents at their home in December and was arrested that same day after fleeing. He had his first court appearance a few days later as he faced two charges of first-degree murder. Reiner was initially represented by high-profile defense attorney Alan Jackson, who withdrew from the case in January citing circumstances outside of his or Reiner’s control. He was replaced by public defender Kimberly Greene. Reiner, who has navigated drug addiction and homelessness, was a co-writer on his father’s 2015 film, “Being Charlie,” which followed a young drug addict whose father forces him to go to rehab. Rob Reiner acknowledged parts of the movie aligned with his family’s experience. The legendary filmmaker and actor told the Los Angeles Times he and his wife would not listen to Nick Reiner’s claims that rehab was not working for him. “We were desperate and because the people had diplomas on their wall, we listened to them when we should have been listening to our son,” Rob Reiner said. Nick Reiner reportedly got into a heated argument with his parents at a party hosted by Conan O’Brien the night before their deaths.
Further Reading
Trump Doubles Down On Rob Reiner Criticism After Killing: ‘He Was Very Bad For Our Country’ (Forbes)