Nick Reiner, the son of the late director Rob Reiner, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder of his parents Rob and Michele Singer Reiner.
Reiner entered his plea at an arraignment at a courthouse in Los Angeles on Monday, February 23. It may be a full year until he faces trial, and if convicted, he could face the death penalty or life in prison without parole. Reiner’s murder counts carry “special circumstances” that could add time to his sentence if he is convicted. It’s unclear if prosecutors will seek the death penalty as punishment.
Reiner’s lawyers may plead insanity as part of his defense in connection with a long history of drug use and other mental health disorders. The New York Times has previously reported Reiner has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder and was also placed under a mental health conservatorship. The Times also reported previously that Reiner had been struggling with his medication just weeks before his arrest.
Reiner, 32, was arrested shortly after the stabbings of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, at their home in Brentwood on December 14, 2025.
Nick Reiner’s arraignment was originally scheduled for January 7 but was delayed after his initial attorney Alan Jackson, who has represented Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, among others, left the case. Jackson told Kelly Ripa on SiriusXM that though he couldn’t represent Reiner due to legal standards and other ethical obligations, he believed Reiner to be not guilty. Reiner is now represented by Los Angeles County public defender Kimberly Greene. Greene did not address the media following the hearing.
A next preliminary hearing, which will determine if prosecutors have enough evidence to proceed with a trial, has been set for April 29.
If it’s found that Reiner did not have the mental capacity to pre-meditate the alleged murders, he may face a less severe murder charge.
Rob Reiner, himself the son of legendary comedian and filmmaker Carl Reiner, was known as an actor on “All in the Family” and then himself a filmmaker on movies like “This Is Spinal Tap,” “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “Stand by Me,” and many more.
