On Monday, 32-year-old Nick Reiner entered a not guilty plea to accusations that he killed his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, in a case that has commanded national attention.
He appeared in custody at a brief arraignment in Los Angeles Superior Court, stood behind a glass partition, and spoke only sparingly as the judge read the charges aloud.
Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene formally entered the not guilty plea on his behalf during the proceeding.
Prosecutors have charged Reiner with two counts of first-degree murder for the fatal stabbings of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, at their Brentwood home on December 14, 2025.
Investigators say officers who responded to the residence found both victims suffering multiple stab wounds, and Reiner was arrested later that night and has remained in custody without bail.
Court filings describe multiple “sharp force injuries,” while detailed autopsy findings remain sealed by court order.
A not guilty plea at this stage is a routine procedural move that allows the defense to review and challenge the prosecution’s evidence as the case moves toward trial.
Greene replaced Reiner’s earlier private attorney, Alan Jackson, who withdrew from the case for reasons not disclosed in court when he said under California law Reiner was “not guilty of murder.”
The charges carry special circumstance allegations tied to multiple victims and, if proven, could expose Reiner to life without parole or, potentially, the death penalty.
Prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek capital punishment, which remains legal in California but is rarely carried out and involves a protracted process.
The killings stunned much of the entertainment community and prompted widespread media coverage.
Rob Reiner built a long career as a director, actor and producer with credits that include This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men.
Michele Singer Reiner was a photographer and producer involved in creative work and advocacy, including support for LGBTQ causes, and the couple had been married for decades.
Investigators have not publicly identified a motive, though people familiar with the inquiry reported signs of tension in the family in the days before the deaths.
Witnesses said the night before the killings the family attended a holiday gathering hosted by Conan O’Brien where an argument occurred between Rob Reiner and his son, and some attendees described Nick Reiner’s behavior that evening as erratic.
Reiner’s history includes documented struggles with mental health and substance abuse, and he had reportedly been prescribed medication for schizophrenia before the incident.
Those issues are expected to play a central role in the defense’s strategy, particularly if questions arise about his competency or mental state at the time of the killings.
Family members, including Reiner’s siblings, have largely stayed out of the public eye and earlier described their grief as “unimaginable” while asking for privacy.
The case is now entering the pretrial phase, with a preliminary hearing expected in the coming months to determine if prosecutors have enough evidence to proceed to trial.
In the meantime, both sides are likely to litigate discovery disputes, challenges over what evidence will be admissible, and issues regarding Reiner’s competency to stand trial.
