Nick Reiner’s legal journey has officially started.
Three days after Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home, their son made his first court appearance following his arrest for their murders.
On December 17th, 32-year-old Nick arrived at the Los Angeles courthouse with his lawyer, Alan Jackson. According to reports, Nick and his legal team chose not to enter a plea to the charges against him, which include two counts of first-degree murder with the added complications of multiple victims and the use of a weapon.
Nick was denied bail and will appear in court on January 7th to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced on December 16th that if Nick is convicted at trial, he could face either life in prison without parole or the death penalty. However, Hochman also stated that a decision regarding the death penalty hasn’t been made yet.
During the conference, however, the D.A. issued a reminder that “charges are not evidence.”
He explained they will present evidence in court that proves the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the standard of proof required in all criminal cases, and it must convince all 12 jurors to agree.
He explained that every question he asks is carefully planned, as he’s leading up to a larger point. He described it as creating something beautiful, like conducting a symphony.
The lawyer hasn’t revealed much about Nick’s trial strategy. However, on December 16th, they told reporters the plea hearing would happen once Nick was deemed healthy enough to proceed – a requirement for all inmates in Los Angeles County.
Nick was arrested shortly after his parents were found dead on December 14th. Two days later, his lawyer, Alan, publicly stated he was representing Nick in the murder case. Alan has a high-profile legal background, previously defending well-known figures like Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Karen Read, who was acquitted of murder in June 2025.
Nick hasn’t publicly responded to the accusations, but his lawyer has talked about his strong skills in court, giving some idea of what to expect if the case goes to trial.
In July, Alan told Vanity Fair that he wants jurors to pay close attention to his demeanor – his facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice – and then compare it to the witness’s reactions. He described this as the most enjoyable part of a trial, particularly a well-prepared and thorough cross-examination, which demands significant preparation.
He explained that every question he asks is carefully planned, as it’s all part of a larger, interconnected goal. He described it like conducting a symphony – a complex and satisfying process to bring to life.
The lawyer hasn’t revealed much about Nick’s trial strategy. However, on December 16th, they told reporters the plea hearing would happen once Nick was deemed healthy enough to proceed – a requirement for all inmates in Los Angeles County.
Otherwise, Alan noted, he would not be “commenting any further than the procedural issues today.”
For a look back at the timeline of the Reiner case so far, read on.
Long before Rob and Michele Singer Reiner sadly passed away, their son, Nick Reiner, openly discussed his struggles with addiction. He even worked with his father on the 2015 film Being Charlie, which focused on the topic of substance abuse.
Nick explained that he had been to rehab 17 times before turning 30.
In a 2016 interview with People magazine, he shared that he had experienced homelessness in three different states: Maine, New Jersey, and Texas. He described spending nights and weeks living on the streets, calling it a difficult time.
Two years later, Nick recalled an instance when he “wrecked” his home while high on drugs.
He described an incident from 2018 on the Dopey podcast, explaining that he spent ten rounds sparring in his guest house while heavily under the influence of stimulants – likely cocaine and another substance. He said he was awake for days and ended up punching objects in the guest house.
According to multiple sources at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party on December 13th, director Rob Reiner and his 32-year-old son, Nick, had a significant argument. Friends of the family confirmed the fight to the L.A. Times, adding that guests observed Nick behaving oddly during the holiday celebration.
According to two sources familiar with the event, Nick was causing a disturbance at the party by interrupting people’s conversations.
On December 14th, around 3:40 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department was called to a home in Brentwood, California, to investigate a death, following a report received the day after a Christmas party.
According to a statement from the LAPD, officers found two people inside the home who were later identified as Robert and Michele Reiner.
The Robbery-Homicide Division’s Homicide Special Section began investigating how the deaths occurred.
According to NBC News, Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton stated that investigators will be speaking with many family members. Rob Reiner and his wife have three children: Nick, Romy, and Jake. Rob also adopted the daughter of his late ex-wife, Penny Marshall, named Tracy Reiner.
Rob and Michele Reiner did not die from illness or old age; they appeared to have been stabbed, according to a source with knowledge of the situation who spoke to NBC News.
According to the LAPD, the initial investigation revealed that the Reiners were victims of homicide.
According to the LAPD’s investigation, Rob and Michele’s son, Nick, caused their deaths. He wasn’t arrested until several hours after their bodies were discovered.
Police announced the arrest of Nick Reiner around 9:15 p.m. on December 15th. He has been charged with murder and is currently being held in jail without the possibility of bail.
TopMob News was not able to find a lawyer on file to speak on Nick Reiner’s behalf.
After Rob’s death, Tracy said she’d seen her father the day before his passing.
She told NBC News she felt lucky to come from such a wonderful family and was still reeling from the news, saying she didn’t know what to say.
Jane Fonda saw Rob and Michele the night before their tragic deaths.
The actress posted on Instagram on December 15th that she had seen them two nights prior, and they seemed healthy and happy. She expressed being overwhelmed with sadness and shock.
On the December 15th episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, Michelle Obama shared that she and Barack Obama had plans to meet with Rob and Michele on the day they tragically passed away.
On December 16th, TopMob News confirmed that attorney Alan Jackson is now representing Nick, who was arrested two days prior in connection with his parents’ murder. Jackson has previously defended high-profile clients including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Karen Read.
On December 16th, as authorities prepared to publicly charge Nick at a Los Angeles courthouse, his lawyer informed the press that he wasn’t yet healthy enough to appear in court.
According to reports, officials stated that all inmates require a medical evaluation before being taken to court. They expressed hope that the individual in question would receive clearance by tomorrow, allowing for his transport.
On December 16th, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that his office will be charging Nick with two counts of first-degree murder, and that the case will also include the special circumstance of multiple murders.
The District Attorney also stated that Nick will be charged with using a deadly weapon – specifically, a knife – during the attack on his parents.
As a longtime follower of this case, I was shocked to hear the potential consequences. The prosecutor stated that if convicted, the defendant could face life in prison with no chance of ever being released, or even the death penalty. It’s a truly sobering thought.
Nick was formally charged Dec. 16.
Police believe Rob and Michele were likely killed about 12 hours before their bodies were found around 3 p.m. on December 14th.
Okay, so the DA finally put out a statement, and it said the murders happened around dawn on December 14th. I’ve been obsessively checking for updates, and that’s the first real timeframe they’ve given us! It’s not much, but it’s something, and I’m trying to piece everything together. Every little detail matters, you know?
According to a press release from the District Attorney on December 16th, Nick is accused of killing his parents by stabbing them. Authorities allege he used a knife as the weapon in the murders.
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2025-12-17 20:48