Prosecutors have now confirmed Nick Reiner will probably be charged with two counts of first-degree homicide following the deaths of his mother and father. Los Angeles County District Lawyer Nathan Hochman mentioned the 32-year-old faces the fees after Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his spouse, Michele, have been discovered stabbed to loss of life at their residence on Sunday. “Prosecuting these circumstances involving relations is likely one of the most difficult and heart-wrenching circumstances that this workplace faces due to the intimate and infrequently brutal nature of the crimes concerned,” Hochman instructed reporters.
He added that the formal prices can be filed later at present and that Reiner will probably be introduced earlier than the court docket as soon as he has been medically cleared. At that time, he will probably be arraigned and anticipated to enter a plea of both responsible or not responsible. “This case is heartbreaking and deeply private,” mentioned Los Angeles Police Division chief Jim McDonnell, referencing each the devastation to the Reiner household and the broader influence on town.
Hochman additionally urged warning as particulars of the case proceed to emerge, warning the general public in opposition to hypothesis and on-line rumours. “Fees should not proof,” he mentioned. “Proof is one thing we will probably be presenting in a court docket of regulation to satisfy the usual of proof we meet at each prison case, which is past an inexpensive doubt.”
He burdened: “There’s a good likelihood you’re listening to misinformation.”
The district legal professional described Rob Reiner as a “good actor and director” and an “iconic pressure” in Hollywood, underscoring the shockwaves the case has despatched by way of the leisure trade.
Prosecutors confirmed the fees carry probably the most extreme penalties underneath California regulation, together with life in jail with out the opportunity of parole, or doubtlessly the loss of life penalty.
Hochman mentioned no choice has but been made on whether or not prosecutors will search the loss of life penalty.
Because the authorized course of strikes ahead, new consideration has additionally centered on Nick Reiner’s lengthy and really public struggles with habit.
Rob and Michele Reiner had spent years making an attempt to assist their son overcome drug abuse, which started when he was an adolescent.
The household endured repeated cycles of rehab and relapse, intervals of homelessness, and severe well being scares — together with a coronary heart assault Nick suffered on an aeroplane after cocaine use.
These personal battles, as soon as largely saved out of the highlight, at the moment are a part of a case that has grow to be one of the vital stunning and tragic Hollywood crime tales in a long time.
Nick Reiner is being represented by high-profile prison defence lawyer Alan Jackson.
Jackson is one among Los Angeles’ most well-known attorneys and has beforehand acted for Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Karen Learn, who was acquitted earlier this yr of murdering her boyfriend in Massachusetts.
Earlier at present, Reiner failed to look at a Los Angeles court docket listening to after his lawyer revealed he has but to be “medically cleared” to face the fees in opposition to him.
Jackson additionally declined to disclose who’s overlaying Reiner’s authorized charges, refusing to substantiate whether or not any members of the Reiner household are concerned.
