A quiet, restrained courtroom scene unfolded in Los Angeles on Wednesday as Nick Reiner, son of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, made his first appearance before a judge following murder charges in the deaths of both parents.
According to the New York Post, Reiner, 32, stood behind a glass divider, hands shackled and dressed in county-issued clothing outfitted with what appeared to be a protective suicide vest.
He responded only briefly when questioned by the judge, speaking just long enough to confirm he would waive his right to a speedy trial. No plea was entered.
Prosecutors have charged Reiner with two counts of first-degree murder, alongside a special-circumstance allegation involving multiple killings — a factor that could make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
His attorney, Alan Jackson, and the prosecution agreed to postpone the formal arraignment until January 7.
The hearing lasted only minutes. Cameras were barred from the courtroom at the defense’s request.
Outside, Jackson appealed for patience from the public, describing the situation as deeply painful for all involved.
“Most importantly, this is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family,” Jackson told reporters. “Our hearts go out to the entire Reiner family. There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case.”
The investigation into the killings has continued to draw intense attention since the couple was found dead inside their Brentwood home last week.
According to reporting from the New York Times, the couple’s daughter, Romy, discovered the bodies after a massage therapist who had arrived at the home grew concerned when no one answered the gate.
Authorities arrested Reiner hours later near the University of Southern California campus, where police body camera footage showed him raising his hands as officers moved in.
Reiner has struggled publicly for years, including long battles with addiction. Past interviews and reporting have detailed multiple attempts at rehabilitation, as well as difficulty maintaining relationships within the family. Sources close to the family have described recent tension, including an alleged conflict between Reiner and his parents at a social event just days before the killings.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said prosecutors had not yet determined whether to seek the death penalty, though California’s statewide moratorium on executions remains in place.
Reiner’s next court appearance is set for early January, when he is expected to formally enter a plea. The court has not released additional details regarding his mental health, though measures taken during the hearing suggest heightened concern for his safety while in custody.
For now, investigators remain focused on reconstructing events leading up to the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner — a couple widely known and admired in the entertainment community — while the court prepares for what is likely to be a lengthy, closely watched legal process.
