A grand jury in Los Angeles County has charged Nick Reiner with murder in the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, alleging that he was lying in wait before attacking them. The indictment was returned on July 20 after meeting in secret and was unsealed when Nick Reiner, 32, pleaded not guilty.
Rob Reiner, a prominent director and actor, and his wife, photographer and producer Michele Singer Reiner, were fatally stabbed in their Brentwood home on December 14. Nick Reiner was arrested shortly after the incident and formally charged two days later.
The grand jury’s decision marks a significant step towards trial, bypassing the need for a preliminary hearing in California. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the betrayal as profound, emphasizing the importance of the indictment in moving closer to a trial for justice.
The indictment, which allows for the death penalty, mentioned the lying in wait accusation and the use of a knife in the killings. Details surrounding the motive and circumstances of the crime remain undisclosed to the public, with minimal leaks on either side.
In a separate legal matter, Nick Reiner is seeking access to funds from a trust established by his parents to aid in his defense. The trust, valued at least at $1.5 million US, is subject to a court dispute regarding his access to the funds.
Nick Reiner, who co-wrote a film with his father in 2015, has been embroiled in a legal battle to hire a high-profile defense lawyer for his case. A court hearing on the trust matter is scheduled for the upcoming week.
The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, representing Reiner, declined to comment on the indictment. Prosecutors in California have the option to pursue charges through a public preliminary hearing or utilize a grand jury for a more covert process, as seen in this case.
