Prosecutors won't seek death penalty against Nick Reiner in killing of parents Rob and Michele Reiner
Prosecutors say they spoke with Jake and Romy Reiner, Nick's siblings.
LOS ANGELES -- Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against Nick Reiner, who is facing murder charges in the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman made the announcement Tuesday, ahead of Nick Reiner's scheduled appearance before a judge for a pre-trial hearing.
Hochman said his office made the decision after speaking with members of the Reiner family and a "rigorous review" of the case.
Tuesday's hearing, which lasted less than five minutes, covered whether or not transcripts from his grand jury indictment should remain sealed.
"After speaking to the victims' next-of-kin, that is Jake and Romy Reiner, that they have expressed a strong desire for these transcripts to remain sealed. And they basically have said that the disclosure to the public and the media of the details and the evidence in the killing of their parents will cause them additional trauma and harm," Hochman said.
In a few weeks, a judge will decide if the transcripts will be made public.
Nick Reiner, 33, has been held without bail on two first-degree murder charges since December.
If convicted, Nick Reiner faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Hochman said the trial will likely not take place until 2027. Still, Hochman said his office is ready to fight to keep Nick Reiner behind bars for the rest of his life.
"At any point in which the defense is ready to proceed, the people are ready to proceed," Hochman said.
Film director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner were stabbed to death in their home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Dec. 14. Nick Reiner, their youngest son, was arrested within hours and charged two days later.
Last month, a grand jury indictment was unsealed in the case. The indictment added the allegation that he was lying in wait before killing them. Nick Reiner has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
The grand jury indictment is a major step toward trial and allows prosecutors to skip California's preliminary hearing process, where evidence is publicly aired.
Lying in wait means a suspect waited for or hid from victims in order to ambush them, and as an allegation, it's meant to show premeditation. A finding that he was lying in wait, along with a murder conviction, made Nick Reiner eligible for the death penalty, but prosecutors have now said they will not seek that.
There is a moratorium in California on the death penalty, and no one has been executed in the state in two decades. The moratorium could be lifted by the governor at any time, and the state will elect a new governor this year.
“This case is absolutely headed for trial,” said legal expert Neama Rahmani. “I think there’s no world where Nathan Hochman and the district attorney’s office offer any type of discount."
Nick Reiner, who is currently being represented by a public defender, is looking to access more than $500,000 he says he's owed from a trust fund, saying he wants to use that money for his legal defense. He was previously represented by Alan Jackson, a high-profile defense attorney. It is believed he wants to re-hire Jackson if he gains access to the trust.
The new developments in the high-profile case come the morning after an emotional Emmy Awards ceremony, where Rob and Michele Reiner were recognized.
"He was generous and kind and funny as hell and a friend to all, and we all miss Rob and Michele and all those we lost this year," actress Jamie Lee Curtis said through tears.
Just last month, Nick Reiner's older brother, Jake Reiner, spoke exclusively to ABC7 in his first sit-down interview since his parents were killed.
He talked about the night of his parents’ killings, his brother’s arrest, his parents’ humanitarian work and how he's been trying to move forward since the tragedy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
