Nick Reiner Pleads Not Guilty to First Degree Murder in Deaths of His Parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner

Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of director Rob Reiner, pleaded not guilty Monday to two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his parents at their Los Angeles home in December. The plea was entered in a packed courtroom as Reiner stood behind glass in a custody enclosure. He has been held without bail since his arrest hours after authorities discovered the bodies of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, at their Brentwood residence on Dec. 14.

Under California law, a judge may deny bail in certain murder cases if the evidence appears strong and release would pose a risk to public safety. Being held without bail means the accused remains in custody while the case proceeds.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has not yet decided whether it will seek the death penalty, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said outside court. Although California rarely carries out executions, capital punishment remains authorized under state law in certain first-degree murder cases. Prosecutors must formally declare if they intend to pursue it.

California law defines first-degree murder as an intentional killing planned in advance. Prosecutors must prove the act was deliberate rather than the result of impulse. The charges include special circumstances alleging multiple victims and the use of a knife, which can increase the potential sentence. A conviction can carry 25 years to life in prison, life without parole, or, in some cases, the death penalty.

According to initial findings from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, both victims died from multiple sharp force injuries. Authorities said the killings occurred in the early morning hours, and the bodies were discovered later that afternoon. A court order has limited the release of additional investigative details, and officials have not discussed a possible motive. Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian told the court that prosecutors are awaiting a full autopsy report and have turned over available evidence to the defense.

Reiner previously retained private attorney Alan Jackson, who withdrew from the case in January, citing circumstances he said prevented him from continuing representation. Jackson later stated publicly that, under California law, his client was not guilty of murder, though he did not elaborate. Reiner is now represented by Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene.

Public reporting indicates that Reiner has previously spoken about struggles with addiction and mental health, including during promotion of the film “Being Charlie,” which drew loosely from his own experiences. At his initial court appearance in December, he wore a suicide prevention smock commonly used in custody settings. In homicide cases, mental health can become legally relevant if competency to stand trial is questioned. Competency concerns whether a person understands the charges and can assist in the defense. Court records do not indicate that any competency proceedings have begun.

Rob Reiner directed films including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Stand By Me,” “A Few Good Men,” and “When Harry Met Sally…,” where he met Michele Singer Reiner, a photographer whom he later married. The couple had been married for 36 years.

A judge has set an April 29 hearing to schedule the preliminary stage of the case. At that proceeding, prosecutors must show there is probable cause to support the charges. The hearing will determine whether the case moves forward to trial.