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Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner and producer-photographer Michele Singer Reiner, made his first court appearance Wednesday in Los Angeles, facing charges of murdering his parents.
Reiner appeared shackled, wearing a blue suicide prevention vest with no shirt underneath, and stood behind glass in a brief hearing.
He spoke only once, saying, "Yes, your honor," when asked if he waived his right to a speedy arraignment.
No plea was entered.
The arraignment was postponed to Jan. 7 at the request of both prosecutors and defense attorney Alan Jackson.
Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances alleging multiple murders and use of a knife.
The charges, filed Tuesday by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, carry a potential death penalty or life without parole, though Hochman has not decided whether to seek capital punishment.
California's moratorium on executions remains in effect.
Authorities allege Reiner stabbed his 78-year-old father and 68-year-old mother in their Brentwood home early Dec. 14.
Their daughter, Romy Reiner, discovered the bodies after a massage therapist could not reach them.
Reiner was arrested hours later near the University of Southern California campus.
He had been living on the family property.
A family friend, cinematographer Barry Markowitz, who stayed with the Reiners in late November, described normal family interactions and said Nick appeared "on the upswing."
Defense attorney Jackson addressed reporters after the hearing, stating, "We ask that during this process, you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward, not with a rush to judgment, not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity and with the respect that this system and this process deserves and that the family deserves."
Nick Reiner appeared in court wearing blue suicide-prevention gown, did not enter a plea
— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) December 17, 2025
“This is a devastating tragedy,” his lawyer Alan Jackson said. “There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case.”
Arraignment now set for Jan. 7 pic.twitter.com/aWIi0hjFTE
Reiner has a history of substance abuse struggles, having entered rehabilitation multiple times.
The case continues to unfold as the legal process advances deliberately in this high-profile tragedy.
