Judge Weighs Releasing Jury Transcripts as Reiner Appears in Court
WHO:
US Magazine - Nick Reiner, 33, appeared in court before trial on allegations that he murdered his parents, actor-director Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner.
Page Six - Nick Reiner appeared at a Los Angeles Superior Court hearing; his public defender is Kimberly Greene.
Page Six - Judge Sam Ohta presided over the hearing.
Page Six - At least two female fans attended; they did not appear to be immediate family members.
Page Six - Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said prosecutors would not seek the death penalty if Nick Reiner is convicted.
Page Six - Nick’s siblings, Jake Reiner, 35, and Romy Reiner, 28, asked that the grand jury transcripts and exhibits remain sealed.
WHAT:
US Magazine - Nick Reiner appeared emotionless at a pretrial conference, wearing a brown jail uniform and a long-sleeve white shirt, with shackles on both wrists.
Page Six - Nick appeared anxious and rocked back and forth in his chair; he looked directly at the judge and Greene while responding to them.
Page Six - Nick wore handcuffs on both wrists, but they were not linked to each other or attached to the chair. He had cut his hair, kept prominent sideburns, and shaved the rest of his face.
Page Six - Ohta extended the hearing to Jan. 13, saying Nick was “indicted unbeknownst to his counsel” and that the defense needed more time. He said public access to the grand jury materials was not more important than Nick’s rights.
Page Six - Nick faces two counts of first-degree murder, with special-circumstance allegations of multiple murders and “lying in wait,” and an allegation that he personally used a knife.
Page Six - Nick pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors said they would not seek the death penalty; he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted.
WHERE:
Page Six - The hearing took place in Los Angeles Superior Court. Nick is held without bail at Twin Towers Correctional Facility.
Page Six - The alleged killings occurred inside Rob and Michele Reiner’s Brentwood home.
WHEN:
Page Six - The hearing was a continuation of an earlier hearing; the article says it was extended to Jan. 13.
Page Six - The article says the alleged killings occurred in December 2025.
WHY:
Page Six - Ohta said the defense needed more time because Nick had been indicted without his counsel’s knowledge.
Page Six - Hochman said prosecutors reached the no-death-penalty decision after considering aggravating and mitigating factors and consulting prosecutors, law enforcement, and the victims’ surviving children.
HOW:
Page Six - Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Reiner, 70, died within “minutes” of sustaining multiple sharp-force injuries, according to their death certificates.
Page Six - Nick was arrested shortly after the couple were found dead and has remained jailed without bail.
Page Six - Page Six reported that Nick had been diagnosed with schizophrenia before the killings and had a long history of drug addiction.
(UPDATED October 22, 2026 00:11 UTC)
Nick Reiner appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court for a pretrial hearing in the case accusing him of murdering his parents, actor-director Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, with allegations of multiple killings, lying in wait and personally using a knife. The judge extended the hearing to Jan. 13, saying the defense needed more time because Nick had been indicted without his lawyer’s knowledge. Judge Sam Ohta also ordered grand jury materials kept sealed, saying public access did not outweigh Reiner’s rights. Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty; if convicted, Reiner faces life in prison without parole. His siblings, Jake and Romy, had asked for the transcripts and exhibits to remain sealed. Reiner is being held without bail. The alleged killings took place at his parents’ Brentwood home, where they sustained multiple sharp-force injuries.