Nick Reiner, accused of murdering his parents, could now face the death penalty. A grand jury, amending the original indictment, handed down two counts of first-degree murder against the son of director Rob Reiner. The defendant now also faces the aggravating circumstance of lying in wait, which compounds the existing charge of using a deadly weapon. Under this charge, Reiner could potentially face the death penalty — though its enforcement has been temporarily suspended in the state. Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will seek it.
Read also: Rob Reiner: Director’s son pleads not guilty to parents’ murder in Los Angeles
Nick Reiner: The double murder that shocked the United States
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman commented on the case, stating: “This is a profound betrayal by a man who was loved and trusted by his own victims,” adding that the grand jury indictment brings the case one step closer to trial and justice. “We hope that the grand jury indictment will bring us one step closer to trial and the delivery of justice,” he continued.
Pretrial hearing set for September 15
The grand jury’s intervention bypasses the need for a public preliminary hearing to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to move the case forward. Reiner’s return to court for a pretrial hearing has been scheduled for September 15. He had previously pleaded not guilty in February to the original charges filed against him.
As a reminder, Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer Michelle Singer Reiner, were found dead on December 14 at their Los Angeles home. Their bodies were discovered in their bedroom approximately 12 hours later. The case unfolded like a thriller. Their son was subsequently arrested, with a judge denying his release on bail.
