Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of well-known Hollywood figure Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, formally denied being responsible for the tragic deaths of his parents by pleading not guilty to two charges of first-degree murder during a court appearance on Monday. His new legal representative, Kimberly Greene, entered the plea on his behalf in a crowded Los Angeles courtroom where Reiner, being held without bail since his arrest, was present.
Appearing in court with a shaved head and light facial hair, dressed in brown jail attire, Reiner communicated briefly with his lawyer through a glass partition before the proceedings commenced. At one point, they conversed face to face after a door in the enclosure was opened. During the hearing, Reiner only responded affirmatively when asked if he waived his right to expedite the next steps of the legal process.
Unlike his previous court appearance in December, Reiner did not wear the suicide prevention attire. This marked the third attempt to enter a plea, with various issues causing delays, including a change in defense attorneys. The judge scheduled Reiner to return on April 29 for a preliminary hearing, during which the prosecution will present evidence for the judge to determine if the case should proceed to trial.
The case will now be overseen by Judge Sam Ohta, a veteran in handling significant criminal cases in Los Angeles Superior Court. District attorney Nathan Hochman mentioned that the decision on seeking the death penalty for Reiner is pending, as it involves a thorough examination of all relevant circumstances.
Reiner’s plea of not guilty is customary at this stage of the legal process, with his previous attorney, Alan Jackson, having withdrawn from the case due to undisclosed reasons. Jackson asserted Reiner’s innocence before parting ways, a stance reaffirmed by Reiner’s plea on Monday.
Authorities have not disclosed any potential motives behind the tragic incident, maintaining a tight lid on information leaks. The investigation continues, with the prosecution awaiting a comprehensive autopsy report while having provided all other evidence to the defense. Rob Reiner, a distinguished filmmaker known for iconic movies like “This is Spinal Tap” and “When Harry Met Sally…,” tragically passed away along with his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in a manner that shocked the public and the entertainment industry.