Aug. 12 (UPI) — Nick Reiner, the son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, pleaded not guilty to new charges Wednesday in the murder of his parents December in their California home.
Reiner was indicted by a grand jury last month on new charges that replace the original murder case. These charges add a new special circumstance allegation of murder by means of lying in wait.
The additional allegation makes Reiner eligible for the death penalty, but prosecutors have not said if they will seek it.
“This was a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing,” Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles County district attorney, said in a statement.
Reiner entered the plea Wednesday in Los Angeles. He first pleaded not guilty to the initial charges in February. He is being held without bail and expected to return to court Sept. 15 for a pretrial hearing.
The Reiners were found dead of “multiple sharp force injuries” on Dec. 14 in their Los Angeles home. Nick Reiner was arrested a day later.
The charges also include a special circumstance allegation of personally using a “dangerous and deadly” weapon, a knife.
Rob Reiner, 78, was a legendary actor and filmmaker and the son of comedian and actor Karl Reiner. His films include “When Harry Met Sally…”, “A Few Good Men” and “This is Spinal Tap. Michele Singer Reiner, 70, was a noted photographer and producer.
In June, Nick Reiner petitioned a court asking for access to his trust fund to pay his legal fees and necessities. His original attorney quit the case in January, and the court assigned him a public defender.
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