Nick Reiner Pleads Not Guilty: What Comes Next?
Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead inside their Brentwood home in December. It took just hours for police to arrest thier middle son, Nick Reiner, for the crimes. Since then, details of a troubled home life and a son dealing with mental health concerns and substance abuse issues have emerged. While the couple has been laid to rest, their son’s legal journey is just beginning. Nick Reiner was in court today to plead not guilty to two first-degree murder charges. The 32-year-old aspiring director could face life in prison or the death penalty.
Nick Reiner pleads not guilty to the slayings of Michele and Rob Reiner
Nick Reiner returned to court for the first time since his hired attorney, Alan Jackson, recused himself from the case. During the hearing, the younger entered a plea of “not guilty” while seated behind plexiglass. His public defender, Kimberly Greene, appeared alongside her client.
Nick Reiner was seen in court, dressed in prison-issued clothing, looking alert. He is rumored to have smirked at least once during the proceedings, but said little. Initially, the hearing was set for January, but was postponed after Jackson stepped down from the case. Nick Reiner hired the high-profile defense attorney in the days immediately following his arrest.
What comes next?
Nick Reiner didn’t just plead not guilty to killing his parents; he has also waived his right to a speedy trial. That is not an uncommon practice in serious cases, like the Reiner family murders case. Because Nick has waived his right to a speedy trial, his attorney will have more time to review evidence.
That doesn’t mean he won’t be back in court relatively soon, though. Nick Reiner’s next court date is set for April 29, according to Page Six. That appearance will serve as a preliminary hearing. It could take months to set a trial date. Until then, Nick Riener will remain at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles. While he was initially being held in solitary confinement, it is unclear if he has been released into the general population at this time.
Details of Nick Reiner’s relationship with his parents have emerged since their deaths
Nick Riener, the 32-year-old son of Rob and Michele Reiner, was reportedly living in his parents’ guest house at the time of the slayings. Nick, who is the couple’s second-born son, has a long history of mental health issues and substance abuse problems. He had previously discussed his drug use during a period of sobriety, revealing he had been in dozens of rehabs beginning in his teen years.
While Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner kept that part of their family life mostly private, people have been stepping forward since thier slaying to discuss the complicated relationship they had with thier son. A man who spent time in rehab with Nick Reiner revealed that both Rob and Michele were actively involved in the rehab process and appeared doting, though Nick Reiner seemed to rail against them.
Conan O’Brien spoke about the couple in an interview with the New Yorker for the first time since thier deaths. He opted not to mention Nick Reiner or the holiday party that kicked off an argument the night they died. He spoke highly of Rob and Michele while avoiding any and all reference to Nick.
