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Nick Reiner, represented by Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, had his plea entered as he stood behind protective glass in a bustling Los Angeles courtroom.
Nick, the third child of the late Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has remained in custody without bail since his arrest just hours after the couple was discovered deceased on December 14 in their luxurious Brentwood residence.
In court, Reiner appeared with a shaved head, donning brown prison attire. He engaged in a brief conversation with his attorney before the judge began proceedings, only speaking to affirmatively respond to the judge’s inquiry. Notably, he was without the suicide prevention garment he wore during his initial December court appearance.
The judge instructed Reiner to return on April 29, when a preliminary hearing will be scheduled. During this hearing, prosecutors are expected to present evidence to determine whether the case will proceed to trial.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman mentioned outside the courtroom that a decision has not yet been made regarding pursuing the death penalty for Reiner.
Reiner’s not guilty plea is common for criminal defendants at this stage of the case, whatever their longer-term plan might be.
Reiner’s previous attorney, the high-profile private lawyer Alan Jackson, had to quit the case at the hearing in January because of what he called circumstances beyond his and his client’s control.
He said legal ethics would not allow him to say why, but in parting he adamantly declared that “pursuant to the laws of California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder.”
Jackson did not elaborate but said the conclusion came after weeks of intensive investigation before his team had to hand the case off. He said he wanted to push back against false reporting on the case.
It’s not clear who hired Jackson to represent Reiner or who was paying the bill. Generally, defendants use public defenders when they can’t afford a private attorney.
Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian said Monday that his office is still awaiting a full autopsy report in the case, but all other evidence has been turned over to the defence.
Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, died from “multiple sharp force injuries,” the LA County Medical Examiner said in initial findings.
Authorities said they were killed hours before the bodies were discovered. A court order has prevented the release of more details and authorities have said nothing about possible motives.
Rob Reiner was a prolific director whose work included some of the most memorable and endlessly watchable movies of the 1980s and ’90s.
His credits included This is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, A Few Good Men, and When Harry Met Sally… , during which production he met photographer Michele Singer and married her soon after.
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