Los Angeles — Nick Reiner did not enter a plea Wednesday after his high-profile defense attorney, Alan Jackson, asked to be removed from the case, prompting a delay in Reiner’s arraignment on murder charges related to the deaths of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa McGonigle granted Jackson’s request, and the public defender’s office was appointed to represent the 32-year-old defendant. Reiner agreed to the change in counsel. His arraignment has been rescheduled for February 23.
Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder and a special allegation for use of a knife in the fatal stabbings of his parents at their Brentwood home last month. The charges carry a possible sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty, though prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek capital punishment.
Prosecutors allege the killings occurred in the early morning hours of December 14. Reiner was arrested later that day near downtown Los Angeles without incident.
In court, Reiner appeared calm, wearing prison-issued clothing. At the request of his legal team, cameras were permitted in the courtroom but barred from filming him.
A family spokesperson said the Reiners have “the utmost trust in the legal process” and will not comment further. Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, previously issued a statement describing the loss of their parents as “unimaginable” and asked for privacy.
Rob Reiner was a celebrated Hollywood actor and director whose work included The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, and A Few Good Men.
