Photo: Chris Torres-Pool/Getty Images
At a Monday-morning arraignment, Nick Reiner officially pleaded “not guilty” to killing his parents, Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michelle Reiner. Wearing a tan jumpsuit with his hair buzzed, the 32-year-old sat in a glass box at the Los Angeles County Superior Court and only spoke to waive his rights to a speedy trial. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 29.
Rob and Michelle were found dead with stab wounds in their Los Angeles home on December 14; hours later, Reiner, who is their youngest child, was arrested by the LAPD without bail and eventually charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He has a long history of substance abuse and mental-health issues; sources told NBC that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia several years ago and his medication had been adjusted at some point before his parents’ deaths.
Reiner was initially set to be represented by Alan Jackson, a high-profile defense lawyer who has represented Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, but Jackson withdrew from the case in January for unspecified reasons. Judge Theresa McGonigle then assigned deputy public defender Kimberly Greene to his case.
Prosecutors have not yet decided whether they will seek the death penalty or a lifetime sentence. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles district attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized that the case is “death penalty eligible” outside the courthouse after the hearing. If the case goes to trial, the wait could reportedly be over a year.
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