LOS ANGELES— Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty Monday to the murder of his parents, Hollywood couple Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner .
Reiner made a brief appearance in Los Angeles County Superior Court from inside a clear enclosure, his hair closely cropped and his hands in shackles. Defense attorney Kimberly Greene, a deputy public defender, entered a plea of not guilty on Reiner’s behalf.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa McGonigle set Reiner’s next court appearance for April 29, and asked Reiner if he understood that he was waiving his right to a speedier hearing.
“Yes,” Reiner said.
Reiner’s plea comes after two previous delays in his arraignment. He is facing two counts of first-degree murder, as well as a special allegation that he used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison or the death penalty. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Monday that determining whether Reiner should face the death penalty is an “ongoing process” that prosecutors take “extremely seriously.”
Hochman said Reiner’s preliminary hearing will be within 30 days of his next court date, unless he and his defense counsel request another delay. Hochman said that seems likely because of the volume of discovery materials and because the autopsy report hasn’t been released.
Greene was appointed to the case last month after high-profile defense attorney Alan Jackson withdrew.
Reiner was taken into custody the evening of Dec. 14, hours after Rob, 78 years old, and Michele, 70, were found dead in their home in Brentwood, a wealthy enclave in western Los Angeles.
Online records from the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office showed that the Reiners died of “multiple sharp force injuries.” The medical examiner’s office said the Los Angeles Police Department obtained a court order blocking the autopsy results from being publicly released.
Rob Reiner was one of the most accomplished film directors of his generation, with credits including “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Princess Bride” and “This Is Spinal Tap.”
He married Michele Singer, a photographer, in 1989 after meeting her while filming “When Harry Met Sally.” Singer, who worked as a producer and photographer on several of Reiner’s films, was known for taking the photo of Donald Trump that appeared on the cover of his 1987 book, “The Art of the Deal.”
