Nick Reiner pleads not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder of his parents Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner

Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty

• Nick Reiner pleads not guilty to murdering his parents in LA
• Charged with two counts of first-degree murder, may face death penalty
• Reiner's mental health and drug history may impact the trial

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Nick Reiner, the youngest son of late Hollywood director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his parents.

This came more than two months after Rob and Michele were stabbed to death inside their Los Angeles home.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the plea, which was made in front of the media in a courtroom in downtown Los Angeles, starts what could be a drawn-out judicial procedure in which Reiner's attorneys are certain to probe his mental state before and after the murders.

If he is put on trial, it might take more than a year.

Nick, 32, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with extraordinary circumstances in connection with his parents’ murder.

Although the decision to face the death penalty has not yet been made, he might be sentenced to either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty if found guilty as charged.

Nathan Hochman, the district attorney for Los Angeles, emphasised outside the courthouse following the hearing that the case is "death penalty eligible." Nathan noted that the prosecutors will start an internal procedure to decide if it should be pursued, which will involve calling in attorneys for Reiner to submit arguments and supporting documentation.

Nick only responded in the affirmative during the brief arraignment when the court asked if he understood that he was entitled to a swift preliminary hearing, during which the court would decide whether there was sufficient evidence to move forward with a trial.

The actor’s bail was also not issued.

Also Read: Rob Reiner's son Nick Reiner charged with murder in parents' murder

Meanwhile, the prosecutors are yet to present the specifics against Nick Reiner. According to their allegations, he stabbed his mother, 70, and father, 78, in their Brentwood home early on December 14, 2025.

Nick reportedly checked into the Pierside Santa Monica hotel after escaping the scene. Later that evening, he was taken into custody by police in the vicinity of a petrol station in South Los Angeles.

The majority of the evidence has been given to the defence, according to Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian, but the whole autopsy report is still pending.

Also Read: Conan O’Brien recalls saying goodbye to Rob Reiner hours fefore his death: " I was in shock for quite a while"

Whether Nick will face an insanity defence is yet unknown. His lengthy history of drug use and associated mental health issues will most likely have a significant impact on the prosecution's stance, trial, and sentencing.

According to numerous reports, he was receiving treatment for a severe mental illness at the time of his parents' murder and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia a number of years prior. Just weeks before the attack, Nick Reiner's prescription was reportedly modified.

Also Read: Rob and Michele Reiner's death certificates reveal they died within minutes after ‘multiple sharp force injuries’

Nick filed his plea soon after the defence attorney Alan Jackson, who had previously represented Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Karen Read, resigned from the case for undisclosed reasons. He said that for ethical and legal reasons, he and his firm could not "continue our representation" of Nick and that they were not allowed to explain why. Kimberly Greene, a deputy public defender, is now his principal lawyer.

According to Alan, Nick is innocent of murder "in accordance with California law."