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Rob Reiner’s son Nick Reiner is expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday on two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents.
Nick Renner, 32, was charged Tuesday with the murder of the 78-year-old actor and director rob renner and his wife, Michelle Singer Rainer, los angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman made the announcement at a news conference with L.A. Police Chief Jim McDonnell.
“His loss is extremely tragic and we will commit ourselves to bringing his killer to justice,” Hochman said.
Along with two counts of first-degree murder, prosecutors added the special circumstances of multiple murders and a special allegation that the defendant used a dangerous weapon, a knife. Addition can mean a longer sentence.
Hochman said his office has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty in the case.
“This case is heartbreaking and extremely personal, not only for the Renner family and their loved ones but for our entire city,” McDonnell said.
The announcement came two days after the couple were found dead from apparent stab wounds in their home brentwood Neighborhood on the western edge of Los Angeles. Nick Renner did not resist when he was arrested hours later in the Exposition Park area near the University of Southern California, about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) from the crime scene, police said.
Rob Reiner was the Emmy-winning star of the sitcom “All in the Family,” who went on to direct several films, including “When Harry Met Sally…” and “The Princess Bride.” He was a vocal liberal activist for decades. Michelle Singer Reiner was a photographer, filmmaker, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. They were married for 36 years.
Many people close to him, including actors Billy Crystal, Albert Brooks, Martin Short and larry davidissued a statement Tuesday night mourning and celebrating the couple.
“Together they were a special force – dynamic, selfless and inspiring,” the statement said. “We were his friends, and we will miss him forever.”
Nick Renner was originally scheduled to make an initial court appearance Tuesday, but his attorney, Alan Jackson, said he was not brought to court from jail for medical reasons and the appearance was postponed.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Renner could enter a plea, a judge could schedule arraignment for later or the same issue that prevented him from coming to court Tuesday could cause further adjournment. He is being kept without bail.
Jackson is a high-profile defense attorney and former L.A. County prosecutor who represented Harvey Weinstein in his Los Angeles trial and Karen Reed in her trial in Massachusetts. He was a central figure in the HBO documentary on the Reed case.
On the other side will be Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian, whose recent cases include the attempted conviction of the Menendez brothers and the trial of Robert Durst.
Authorities have not said anything about a motive for the killings and would provide few details when asked at a news conference.