Nick Reiner will not face the death penalty if convicted of killing his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Tuesday that prosecutors had decided against seeking capital punishment after reviewing the case and speaking with Reiner’s siblings.
“After a careful and thorough review of all these factors, the district attorney’s office will not be seeking the death penalty in this case,” Hochman told reporters.
The decision means the maximum punishment Reiner, 33, could face is life in prison without the possibility of parole. Hochman declined to reveal exactly what Reiner’s siblings requested, but said, “They made their views very clear.”
UPDATES ⚖️CALIFORNIA vs Nick Reiner⚖️Hearing today: Will not face the death penalty
— American Crime Stories (@AmericanCrime01) September 15, 2026
During a court hearing, Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian announced that capital punishment has been removed from consideration after discussions with the victims' family. District Attorney… pic.twitter.com/2KsMBSsUyC
Rob and Michele were both known for opposing the death penalty.
Reiner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbings of his parents at their Los Angeles home in December.
His siblings are also fighting to keep grand jury transcripts sealed, saying public disclosure of details surrounding their parents’ deaths would cause “additional trauma and harm.”
Reiner appeared briefly in court Tuesday and agreed to waive his right to a speedy trial. Both sides are due back in court October 7 for further pretrial proceedings.