Nick Reiner appeared in court for the first time Wednesday to face murder charges in the stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner but did not enter a plea.
Shackled and wearing a jail suicide prevention smock, Nick Reiner was behind a glass wall in a custody area. His only words were, “Yes, your honor,” in confirming to the judge that he agreed to postpone his arraignment until Jan. 7.
Reiner’s attorney Alan Jackson said it was “too early” for the 32-year-old to make a plea, TMZ reported. He and the prosecutors agreed on moving the arraignment.
The director and producer-photographer, both ardent liberal activists, were found dead in their home Sunday afternoon after a massage therapist contacted their daughter Romy because the Reiners weren’t answering the door for their scheduled appointment.
Nick, 32, was arrested late Sunday and charged Tuesday with two counts of first-degree murder, plus two special circumstances — multiple murders, and a special allegation that he used a dangerous weapon, in this case a knife — that could add time to his sentence if he’s convicted. The death penalty is also a possibility, though prosecutors are still mulling that over. He is being held without bail.
It was not clear early Wednesday whether Reiner would enter a plea, be bumped to a later arraignment date, or whether a medical issue that kept him sidelined the day before would postpone the hearing.
“Their loss is beyond tragic, and we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Tuesday in announcing the charges.
With News Wire Services
