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Nick Reiner pleads not guilty to murder of his parents
Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of acclaimed director Rob Reiner, pleaded not guilty Monday to two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of his parents in December. Reiner’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, entered the plea on his behalf as he stood behind glass in an enclosed custody area of the packed Los Angeles courtroom.
Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty Monday to two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner last year.
RELATED: Actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner, wife Michele, found dead in Los Angeles home
Reiner appeared in court in an enclosed custody area with his head shaved and wearing brown jail clothes. Reiner talked to his lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, briefly before Judge Theresa McGonigle began the brief hearing. He spoke only to answer yes to a question from the judge.
During his arraignment last month, his powerhouse lawyer, Alan Jackson, announced he was stepping down from representing Nick. During a press conference, he told reporters he had "no choice" but to withdraw from the case, and cited circumstances beyond his and Nick's control as to why he abruptly resigned.
The judge told Reiner to return to court April 29 for the scheduling of a preliminary hearing where prosecutors will present evidence and a new judge will decide if it’s enough for Reiner to go to trial.
The case will now be handled by longtime Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta. He has had many prominent murder, manslaughter and public corruption cases in his courtroom in recent years, but none have drawn the national media attention this case has.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman said outside court that his office still hasn’t decided whether it will seek the death penalty for Reiner. Hochman said the death penalty decision "goes through a very rigorous process. We will be looking at all aggravating and mitigating circumstances."
Nick Reiner and his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, at Los Angeles Superior Court on February 23, 2026. Reiner plead not guilty to two counts of murder in the deaths of his parents Rob and Michele Reiner.
Nick Reiner is the third of Rob Reiner’s four children, and has been held without bail since his arrest after the actor-director and his wife were found dead with stab wounds on Dec. 14. 2025 at their home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles.
RELATED: Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner's son, Nick, arrested on suspicion of murder
Nick Reiner charged in parents’ deaths
The backstory:
Nick Reiner was charged on Dec. 16, 2025, with two counts of first-degree murder. He did not resist when he was arrested hours later in the Exposition Park area near the University of Southern California, about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) from the crime scene, police said.
The two counts of first-degree murder come with special circumstances of multiple murders and an allegation that the defendant used a dangerous weapon, a knife. The additions could mean a greater sentence.
RELATED: Reiner murders: Video shows Nick Reiner moments before arrest
Rob Reiner's career spanned decades as an actor, director, producer, screenwriter and political activist. He starred in the ‘70s sitcom "All in the Family" and directed classics such as "Stand by Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally," and "A Few Good Men."
He also directed the 2015 movie "Being Charlie," which Nick co-wrote. It's a semi-autobiographical film that gives a glimpse into Nick's battle with substance abuse.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Associated Press and previous FOX Local coverage. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.