Charges Filed Against Nick Reiner
Nick Reiner, 32, the son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced the charges on Tuesday. The indictment includes a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders and a special allegation related to the use of a dangerous and deadly weapon, identified as a knife.
Potential Penalties and Ongoing Investigation
If convicted, the charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. District Attorney Hochman stated that a decision regarding the death penalty has not been made at this time.
The deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner became known to authorities on Sunday following a call from the fire department. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell noted that the precise cause and time of death are pending updates from the coroner's office.
Arrest Details and Official Comments
Nick Reiner was arrested publicly on Sunday in the Exposition Park area of Los Angeles, near the University of Southern California campus, according to Alan Hamilton, Deputy Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.
When questioned, Chief McDonnell did not confirm whether Nick Reiner was under the influence of drugs at the time of his arrest. Reiner has previously spoken about his struggles with addiction. District Attorney Hochman declined to comment on the presence of evidence regarding mental illness in Reiner's background or whether Reiner admitted to the crimes, stating that such evidence would be presented in court proceedings.
Judicial Process
Hochman emphasized that charges constitute allegations and are not evidence. He stated that his office would present evidence to jurors in a court of law. The District Attorney's office also indicated that they would consider the family's input during the legal process, as is standard procedure.
The charges were formally filed on Tuesday afternoon. Reiner is currently undergoing medical clearance, a routine process, before being brought to court for arraignment, where he will enter a plea. He is currently being held without bail.