Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman will not seek the death penalty against Nick Reiner for the murders of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. The decision stems in part from the victims' well-known opposition to capital punishment, according to sources.
Reiner, 33, is accused of fatally stabbing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, on December 14, 2025, at their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder, with special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait.
Sources close to the DA's office indicated that the victims' stance against the death penalty was a significant factor. Additionally, Hochman considered the potential impact on Reiner's siblings, Jake and Romy. While not supporting their brother's defense, the siblings would have found it difficult to endure sentencing proceedings if Reiner faced execution.
Rob Reiner, 79, was a renowned director known for films such as "When Harry Met Sally" and "A Few Good Men." His wife, Michele Singer Reiner, was 70. Nick Reiner, who has a history of addiction, lived in a guest house on his parents' property.
Reiner was arrested after his parents' bodies were discovered. He was indicted by a Los Angeles grand jury in August on charges of first-degree murder with special circumstances. The indictment also includes the allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime.
In June, Reiner's legal team filed a petition seeking access to a $1.5 million trust fund established by his parents. The petition argued that Reiner should have access to the funds to pay for his legal defense, noting that his inability to access the money had hindered his ability to retain legal counsel.
Reiner is one of three children Rob and Michele Reiner had together. Rob Reiner also had a child from a previous marriage. The trust fund was established as part of an estate plan in 1993, with provisions for the children to receive portions of the money at specified ages.
Reiner's attorneys stated in the petition that the trust distributions were mandatory and unconditional, representing a commitment from his parents for his benefit. Previously, Reiner was represented by attorney Alan Jackson, but his inability to pay led to Jackson's departure from the case.
Reiner is scheduled for a pretrial hearing, with another hearing next month to address his access to the trust fund.