A Los Angeles County grand jury has charged Nick Reiner with murder for the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, and included the accusation that he was waiting to attack them. The indictment was issued on July 20 after the grand jury met in private, and it was made public on Wednesday when 32-year-old Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty.
The victims, renowned Hollywood director and actor Rob Reiner, and his wife, photographer and producer Michele Singer Reiner, were fatally stabbed in their Brentwood home in Los Angeles on December 14. Nick Reiner was apprehended shortly after the incident and formally charged two days later.
The grand jury’s decision marks a significant progression towards a trial and enables prosecutors to bypass the preliminary hearing process in California, where evidence is disclosed publicly. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “This was a deep betrayal by someone who was trusted and beloved by the very individuals he is accused of murdering. We anticipate that the grand jury’s indictment will lead us closer to a trial and the pursuit of justice.”
Reiner’s eligibility for the death penalty stems from the allegation of lying in wait and other circumstances outlined in the unsealed indictment. Prosecutors have not yet confirmed whether they will seek the death penalty. The specifics surrounding the lying in wait aspect and the use of a knife in the crime were not detailed in the indictment. Authorities had previously disclosed that the couple was killed by stabbing.
Numerous fundamental questions regarding the incident remain unanswered in the public domain. Motives have not been disclosed by prosecutors, and there have been minimal leaks on either side of the case. The Los Angeles County chief medical examiner expressed interest in releasing the autopsy reports but has been restricted by a court order.
Amid the legal proceedings, Reiner is currently attempting to access funds from a trust established by his parents to support his defense. He claimed in a court filing that the trustees have unjustly withheld funds from him, which were designated for him even if his parents were alive. The trust is reported to hold assets of at least $1.5 million US, but the exact amount has not been disclosed by the trustees.
A court hearing regarding the trust matter is scheduled for the upcoming week. The L.A. County Public Defender’s Office, representing Reiner, declined to comment on the recent indictment.
Prosecutors in California have the option to proceed with a preliminary hearing or utilize a grand jury for a more discreet process. They may also file charges publicly and subsequently seek a secret grand jury indictment, as observed in this case and in the legal proceedings against Harvey Weinstein in Los Angeles.
Rob Reiner, a multifaceted artist, initially gained fame through his acting career, notably in the TV series “All in the Family.” He later established himself as a prominent director, known for his contributions to iconic films of the ’80s and ’90s. His enduring work includes movies like “This is Spinal Tap,” “Stand By Me,” “A Few Good Men,” and “When Harry Met Sally…”. Rob Reiner and Michele Singer met during the production of the latter film, got married shortly after, and enjoyed a 36-year marriage.
Nick Reiner, their second child, collaborated with his father on the screenplay for the 2015 movie “Being Charlie,” drawing from his own struggles with addiction and homelessness during his youth. His older brother, Jake Reiner, described the emotional turmoil of losing their parents and having Nick involved in the tragedy as an incomprehensible nightmare.