Story perspectives

Nick Reiner Pleads Not Guilty to Double Murder

4/30/2026

Summary

Nick Reiner Pleads

Nick Reiner (32) appeared shackled in a Los Angeles courtroom, maintained a not-guilty plea, and remains in custody without bail after waiving a speedy hearing.
Prosecutors charged him with two counts of first-degree murder for the Dec. 14, 2025 killings of director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Reiner.
Judge set a Sept. 15, 2026 hearing while District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the case is death-penalty-eligible but has not decided to seek it.

Summary

Greene Defends Reiner

Public defender Kimberly Greene assumed representation of defendant Nick Reiner after attorney Alan Jackson left earlier this year.
Defendant Nick Reiner, who suffers chronic mental-health issues and drug addiction, may use an insanity defense.
Brother Jake Reiner posted a Substack essay on April 24 describing the loss of both parents and his shock at his brother’s alleged role.

History

Historical Context

On Jan 25 1971 a Los Angeles jury found Charles Manson and four followers guilty on 27 counts; prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi secured death-penalty eligibility and Judge Charles Older imposed death sentences on March 29 1971. The 1972 California Supreme Court ruling that voided those sentences forced the state to revise its capital-punishment and insanity-defense statutes, a backdrop for today’s Nick Reiner case.

1 of 3

Nick Reiner Pleads

Nick Reiner (32) appeared shackled in a Los Angeles courtroom, maintained a not-guilty plea, and remains in custody without bail after waiving a speedy hearing.
Prosecutors charged him with two counts of first-degree murder for the Dec. 14, 2025 killings of director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Reiner.
Judge set a Sept. 15, 2026 hearing while District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the case is death-penalty-eligible but has not decided to seek it.

1 / 3