Nick Reiner Makes First Court Appearance, Does Not Enter Plea

Reiner, 32, told a judge he would waive his right to enter a plea in court Wednesday, and his arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 7, multiple outlets reported.

Reiner appeared in court wearing what appeared to be a suicide prevention vest, BBC reported, and the only words he uttered were, “Yes, your honor,” when asked to confirm he would waive a speedy arraignment.

In brief remarks to reporters outside the court, Reiner’s lawyer Alan Jackson said there are “very complex and serious issues associated with this case” and urged the public not to “rush to judgement,” declining to comment further or take questions.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced at a press conference Tuesday afternoon Reiner would be charged on two counts of first-degree murder, the maximum penalty for which is either life in prison without parole or the death penalty, but he said prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.

Hochman said Reiner’s charges include special circumstances, which can add time to a sentence, including that he is accused of committed multiple murders.

Nick Reiner was arrested Sunday around 9:15 p.m. local time, police said on Monday, hours after officers responded to an initial call at the Reiners’ Brentwood, California, home at 3:40 p.m.

Reiner was booked for murder and is being held without bail, police said (Los Angeles County sheriff’s office’s online records previously indicated he was being held on $4 million bail, though these records now say “no bail”).

ABC News reported Rob Reiner and his wife were stabbed to death, citing unnamed senior law enforcement sources, while NBC News reported the couple died from stab wounds, citing a source close to the Reiner family.

There was no sign of forced entry into the Reiners’ home, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing a source close to the investigation, who also said one of the Reiners’ three children discovered them.