Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced during a September 15 press conference that prosecutors will not seek the death penalty for Nick Reiner. The 32-year-old is accused of fatally stabbing his parents, 78-year-old Rob Reiner and 70-year-old Michele Reiner, at their Brentwood home in December.
Hochman stated that the choice followed a careful and thorough review and that the maximum sentence moving forward is life without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors weighed several factors, including the explicit views of Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, when making the final decision.
The announcement precedes a scheduled court hearing, with Hochman noting that the trial is unlikely to begin before 2027 depending on the defense’s readiness. Reiner was initially arrested on December 14 after the victims were discovered with multiple sharp force injuries, according to preliminary medical examiner findings, and pleaded not guilty following subsequent murder charges.
A grand jury formally indicted Reiner on two counts of murder with special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and lying in wait, alongside an allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon. While announcing the indictment, Hochman described the killings as a profound betrayal by someone trusted by the victims, adding that the legal steps bring the case closer to achieving justice. The report also notes that which occurred ahead of a hearing in the case, by stating his office is ready to begin the trial whenever the defense is, but noted he doesn’t expect that to be until 2027, hochman concluded the conference. The report also notes that which the district attorney said was returned July 20, added the special circumstance of lying in wait, the August indictment.
