Prosecutors in Nick Reiner's case say they are deciding whether or not to seek the death penalty

Record ID: 2344162

  • Title: Prosecutors in Nick Reiner's case say they are deciding whether or not to seek the death penalty
  • Date: 23rd February 2026
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 23, 2026)(REUTERS) LOS ANGELES DISTRICT ATTORNEY NATHAN HOCHMAN WALKS UP TO PODIUM TO SPEAK TO MEDIA AFTER NICK REINER PLEADS NOT GUILTY (SOUNDBITE)(English) LOS ANGELES DISTRICT ATTORNEY NATHAN HOCHMAN SAYING: "Good morning. My name is Nathan Hochman, I'm the district attorney of Los Angeles County. Joining me here is the p
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  • Keywords: Hollywood director son Nathan Hochman Nick Reiner Nick Reiner death penalty Rob Reiner death penalty prosecution team
  • Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • City: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Crime,North America
  • Reuters ID: LVA001794323022026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Nick Reiner, the troubled son of slain Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner, pleaded not guilty on Monday (February 23) to murder charges stemming from the fatal stabbing of his parents in their home, one of the most shocking celebrity homicide cases in Los Angeles history.
    The 32-year-old was arraigned during a brief proceeding that had been twice rescheduled, most recently last month, when his original attorney abruptly quit without explanation and was replaced by a public defender.
    Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the deadly knife attack on actor-director Rob Reiner, 78, and photographer-producer Michele Reiner, 70. Their bodies were found on December 14 inside their West Los Angeles mansion.
    Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman on Monday (February 23) said the prosecution team was deciding whether or not to pursue the death penalty at a news conference after Reiner pleaded not guilty. 
    Seated behind a glass partition dressed in brown jail garb, his head shaved and beard closely cropped, Reiner appeared alert but spoke little during the proceeding except to answer "yes" when asked if he agreed to waive his right to a speedy preliminary hearing.
    Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa McGonigle set April 29 as the date for the preliminary hearing, in which prosecutors present evidence intended to show probable cause for proceeding to trial.
    Nick Reiner, who has acknowledged a years-long struggle with substance abuse, was also ordered to remain jailed without bond, as he has been since his arrest in the hours after his parents were slain.
    The killings stirred an outpouring of grief among Hollywood luminaries for Rob Reiner, who first gained fame by co-starring in the 1970s hit television comedy "All in the Family" and later directed such beloved films as "When Harry Met Sally," "This is Spinal Tap" and "The Princess Bride."
    (Production: Arafat Barbakh, Sarah Wemy, Colette Luke)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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