Los Angeles prosecutors announced Tuesday they will not seek the death penalty against Nick Reiner, the son of legendary director Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner, in the killings of his parents last December.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said his office conducted a "rigorous review" of aggravating and mitigating factors before reaching the decision, including conversations with the Reiner family, law enforcement, and senior prosecutors. With the death penalty off the table, the maximum sentence Nick Reiner, 33, could face if convicted is life without the possibility of parole.
Rob Reiner, 78, known for directing classics like When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men, and Michele, 71, were found dead from apparent stab wounds inside their Brentwood home last December. Their son Nick was arrested and charged with murder hours later. He was indicted last month on two counts of first-degree murder with a lying-in-wait allegation and has twice pleaded not guilty.
Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, who represents Reiner, said prosecutors made "the right decision," pointing to her client's "serious mental illness and long history of struggling with self-medication."
Rob and Michele's other children, Jake and Romy Reiner, have asked the court to keep grand jury transcripts sealed, saying public disclosure of the killing's details would cause them further trauma.
As the case moves toward trial, many following the story have offered prayers for the surviving Reiner children as they navigate both grief and a painful public legal process.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled to continue in the coming weeks.
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