Nick Reiner was seen in court for the first time today, complete with a suicide vest, since being charged with his parents’ murders. Last weekend, Nick allegedly stabbed his parents, director-actor-producer Rob Reiner and his wife Michele.
The screenwriter was arrested on Sunday, December 14, and is being held without bail. He faces life in prison or the death penalty if convicted.
Nick Reiner did not enter a plea
Nick, who was present in the courtroom, did not enter a plea. His attorney, Alan Jackson, told the court it was too early for him to do so, according to The New York Times, which reported Nick’s arraignment was continued until January 7.
Initially, Nick was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, but he failed to appear. According to his lawyer, the troubled son had yet to be “medically cleared” to attend a hearing.
Rob and Michele’s daughter Romy found her parents dead in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Sunday, December 14.
The night prior, the couple attended a holiday party at comedian Conan O’Brien’s home with Nick. A heated argument reportedly broke out between the family members, and Nick was behaving erratically at the event.
Nick’s addiction struggles and bouts of homelessness were well known among those who knew the Reiners. This led to ongoing tension within the family.
An Us Weekly source reported that Rob’s middle son had a history of being “hostile and volatile” towards his family over the years. “Nick’s problems have been going on for so long, so while everyone is in a state of shock right now, it’s not entirely surprising,” according to an inside source. “A lot of his anger was directed at his parents for many, many years,” the source continued. “They did everything a parent could possibly do to help him. Even in his younger years, they really tried to get him help. And then it became a cycle of seeking treatment for him, kicking him out or him leaving the house, him moving back in.”
TELL US – WILL NICK FACE THE DEATH PENALTY FOR THIS CRIME?
