Nick Reiner, who is charged with killing his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, will not be eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced the decision before a Sept. 15 court hearing, saying prosecutors had carefully considered the most appropriate course in the case.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman said he consulted with the Reiner family and weighed the aggravating and mitigating circumstances typically examined in special-circumstance murder cases. “Seeking capital punishment should be reserved for the most egregious instances,” Hochman said in a statement, adding that a detailed review led prosecutors to conclude the death penalty was not warranted.
During a conversation with reporters outside the courthouse that day, Hochman confirmed that he had spoken with Nick’s siblings, Romy Reiner and Jake Reiner, before reaching the decision.
“They made their views very clear,” Hochman said. “We took their views into consideration in ultimately deciding not to seek the death penalty.”
If Nick is found guilty, the most severe sentence now available would be life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Kimberly Greene, a Los Angeles County deputy public defender representing Nick, said she was “pleased” by the prosecution’s decision, calling it “the right decision” not to pursue capital punishment.
“Nick has a serious mental illness and a long history of struggling with self-medicating,” Greene told Oxygen. “His circumstances are a tragic example of how difficult it can be for people experiencing significant mental health challenges to access and navigate the treatment and support they need.”
Greene acknowledged that the decision cannot erase the pain suffered by the Reiner family and their loved ones. “Our hearts remain with the family and all those impacted by these tragic deaths,” she said, adding that the defense would continue handling the case with compassion while working to ensure Nick’s circumstances are fully considered as the legal proceedings continue.
What Is Nick Reiner Accused Of?
On Dec. 14, 2025, Romy discovered the bodies of Rob and Michele inside their Brentwood, California, home.
Nick was found and taken into custody at a Los Angeles gas station less than a day later. He has remained jailed since his arrest.
In July, a grand jury indicted Nick on two counts of murder, along with special-circumstance allegations involving multiple killings and murder by lying in wait. Prosecutors also allege that he personally used a knife, described in the indictment as a dangerous and deadly weapon, during the killings.
Nick has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Hochman said Romy and Jake want the transcripts from the July grand jury proceedings to remain confidential. A judge is expected to rule on whether they will be unsealed after a hearing scheduled for October.
The siblings have said that releasing details and evidence related to their parents’ deaths to the public and news media would cause them further trauma and emotional harm, Hochman told reporters.
What’s Next in the Nick Reiner Case?
Nick is next set to appear in court on Oct. 7 for a motions hearing, per the district attorney’s office.
According to Hochman, it will likely be at least several months until his trial officially begins.
“We estimate that the trial will not occur before 2027,” he told reporters on Sept. 15. “However, when the defense is ready to proceed, the government will be ready to proceed.”
