Nick Reiner makes first court appearance wearing suicide prevention vest after parents’ murder – video

Nick Reiner, the son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday wearing a suicide prevention vest, reports BBC. He is charged with murdering his parents.

The 32-year-old arrived at a downtown Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday. He waived his right to immediately enter a plea to two counts of first-degree murder, with all sides agreeing to delay his arraignment until January 7. He will have another opportunity to enter a plea at that hearing.

78-year-old Rob Reiner and his wife 68-year-old wife, Michele Singer Reiner were found stabbed to death inside their Brentwood home on Sunday. Nick Reiner was formally charged on Tuesday. Prosecutors allege he killed both parents but police is still looking into the details.




During the brief hearing, Reiner spoke only once, replying “yes, your honour” when Judge Theresa McGonigle asked if he understood his right to a speedy trial. The media were barred from filming him, and reporters inside the courtroom could not see him clearly as he sat out of view in a corner.

His lawyer, Alan Jackson, said outside court that the case involves “complex and serious issues” that need to be addressed before proceedings move forward.

The delay in entering a plea may allow time for a psychiatric evaluation for Nick, who has struggled with drug addiction for a hefty amount of time.

Emergency crews were called to the Reiner home at around 3.30 pm on Sunday. Police later confirmed that both victims had suffered fatal knife wounds. Reports said a family member, reportedly the daughter, discovered the bodies, and dispatch audio revealed officers requested backup at the scene. TMZ earlier reported that the elderly couple was found with their throats slit.

Until his next court date, Nick Reiner will remain in custody at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility. If convicted, he could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty. Prosecutors have yet to reveal information about seeking capital punishment.

After the court appearance, Nick Reiner's attorney Alan Jackson asked the public not to jump to conclusions: "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."

Rob Reiner was a veteran actor and filmmaker in Hollywood, and Michele Singer Reiner was an actress, photographer and producer, who founded the agency Reiner Light.