Nick Reiner Pleads Not Guilty to Murdering Parents Rob and Michele Reiner

Nick Reiner — the 32-year-old son of iconic Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner — entered a not guilty plea Monday in a packed Los Angeles courtroom, in the murders of his parents in one of the most high-profile criminal cases in recent Hollywood history.

Today's Arraignment: What Happened in Court

Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty to murder charges on Monday following his arrest late last year in the stabbing deaths of his parents, renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner. The 32-year-old faces two counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders. His public defender, Kimberly Greene, entered not guilty pleas on his behalf during his court appearance in Los Angeles. He will remain in jail on no bail. His next court appearance has been scheduled for April 29, during which his preliminary hearing will be set.

Nick smirked at the audience as he walked into the courtroom. Reiner sat in court behind his attorney in a glass-enclosed custody area. His head was shaved and he wore brown jail clothes. He spoke briefly during the arraignment, saying "yes" when asked to acknowledge waiving a speedy preliminary hearing.

Case Timeline: From the Murders to Today

The Charges and Possible Death Penalty

The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty, though prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty in the case. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Reiner's attorney has been invited to present arguments for prosecutors to consider. He said most of the evidence has been provided to Reiner's attorney and that prosecutors were waiting for the coroner's report.

The Dramatic Attorney Withdrawal That Delayed Everything

Nick Reiner's arraignment was postponed in January after his attorney, Alan Jackson — who had also defended Karen Read in Massachusetts — withdrew from the case. The Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office took over, with Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene now representing Reiner. Jackson attributed the withdrawal to "circumstances beyond our control, and more importantly, circumstances beyond Nick's control," without providing further detail due to legal ethics. He added: "Pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder."

Schizophrenia Diagnosis: A Key Factor in the Case

Nick Reiner was reportedly diagnosed with schizophrenia and was being treated by a psychiatrist in the weeks leading up to his parents' murders. In the weeks before the killings, there was a change in the medications he was taking, which had allegedly made him more "erratic and dangerous."

The night before the murders, Nick Reiner — who had been living on his parents' property — got into an argument with Rob Reiner at a holiday party and was seen acting strangely. He has a documented history of addiction and substance abuse treatment, and friends told investigators his mental health had been deteriorating prior to the fatal stabbings.

Who Were Rob and Michele Reiner?

Rob Reiner was a prolific director whose work included some of the most memorable films of the 1980s and '90s, including "This Is Spinal Tap," "Stand By Me," "A Few Good Men," and "When Harry Met Sally" — during whose production he met Michele Singer, a photographer, and married her soon after. Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were killed on December 14 and found in the late afternoon.

Nick Reiner co-wrote the 2015 film "Being Charlie," which his father directed — a semi-autobiographical story about Nick's own battle with substance abuse. The next hearing in the case is set for April 29, 2026.