Reiner’s trial in parents’ stabbing deaths delayed until next year
Prosecutors in Los Angeles will not seek the death penalty against Nick Reiner, who is accused of stabbing to death his parents, Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, the District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday ahead of a pretrial hearing.
The decision caps the potential punishment Reiner, 33, faces if convicted at life in prison without the possibility of parole. District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters that prosecutors made the call after “a rigorous review” and considered the wishes of the Reiners’ loved ones.
“We did speak with Nick Reiner’s siblings (and) they made their views very clear,” Hochman said.
Hochman also said Tuesday that Reiner’s trial will not begin until next year.
Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were found stabbed to death inside their Los Angeles home on December 14 last year. Their daughter Romy reportedly discovered the bodies, prosecutors have said.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner said at the time that the couple died from “multiple sharp force injuries.”
Prosecutors allege that Nick Reiner, the couple’s youngest son, fatally stabbed his father and mother inside a bedroom of the home before fleeing. He was arrested in Los Angeles the same day.
Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Rob Reiner directed films including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “Stand By Me.” Michele Singer Reiner was an actress, photographer and producer who founded the photography agency and production company Reiner Light.
It was unclear Tuesday whether Nick Reiner would appear in court for a hearing about unsealing transcripts from the grand jury that returned the indictment against him.
His siblings, Jake and Romy, have asked for the transcripts to remain sealed, arguing that “the disclosure to the public and media of the details and evidence of the killing of their parents will cause them additional trauma and harm,” Hochman said.