Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Tuesday that prosecutors will not pursue the death penalty for Nick Reiner, the son of actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner. Nick Reiner, 33, was previously indicted on two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his parents.
“In deciding whether or not the DA’s office was going to seek the death penalty, we have gone through a rigorous review, where we look at the aggravating factors as well as the mitigating factors,” Hochman told reporters during a press briefing. “After a careful and thorough review of all these factors, the district attorney’s office will not be seeking the death penalty in this case.”
The decision followed consultations with law enforcement and discussions with Nick Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner. During a separate pre-trial hearing held the same day regarding the unsealing of grand jury indictment transcripts, Hochman revealed that the siblings had requested the records remain sealed to avoid further emotional distress.
Reiner was initially charged last December, shortly after the fatal attack occurred at the family’s Los Angeles home. A grand jury indictment in July added special allegations that he was “lying in wait” before carrying out the killings. He has entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.
Under the current charges, a conviction carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Hochman emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, “The brutal murders of Rob and Michele Reiner are ones that will never leave us.” He added that the office intends to present evidence proving Reiner’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt for all charges filed by the district attorney or the grand jury.
Due to the extensive volume of discovery material and ongoing legal proceedings, Hochman indicated that a trial is not expected to commence until at least next year.
Rob Reiner was honored on Monday night, marking the beginning of proceedings that will determine the fate of his son.
This is absolutely tragic. A mother and father murdered in their own home. Terrible.
Wait, they sealed the grand jury transcripts? That feels shady. Shouldn’t the public have access to these proceedings?
Honestly, I can understand the family’s wish for finality. The death penalty process drags on for decades.