Nick Reiner made a brief appearance in court on Wednesday morning on charges of murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.
Reiner did not enter a plea and agreed to postpone his arraignment to Jan. 7. He was shackled and wore a blue suicide-prevention vest.
Reiner faces two charges of murder, with the allegation that a knife was used to commit the crimes. He could face as much as life in prison without parole or the death penalty if convicted.
Outside court, his attorney Alan Jackson made a brief comment to reporters, asking for patience as the case plays out. He did not address questions about his client’s mental state.
Jackson objected to allowing news photographers in the courtroom, and the judge did not allow it.
Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead at their Brentwood home on Sunday afternoon. Police took Nick Reiner into custody later that evening in the Exposition Park neighborhood near USC.
He is being held without bail. He was initially due to make his first court appearance on Tuesday, but was not transported from the jail due to medical concerns.
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Nathan Hochman, the Los Angeles district attorney, announced the charges at a press conference on Tuesday. The charges include the “special circumstance” allegation of multiple murders, which makes the case potentially eligible for the death penalty.
Hochman has revived the death penalty in Los Angeles County, reversing a moratorium imposed by his predecessor. The state has not executed anyone since 2006, however, and Gov. Gavin Newsom has imposed a statewide moratorium on executions since 2019.
From Variety US