Nick Reiner seems stone-faced in anti-suicide smock throughout first courtroom look after his mother and father had been slain of their bed room
Nick Reiner appeared blank-faced as he was hauled into court for the first time today, charged with the murders of his Hollywood director father Rob and mother Michele.
The 32-year-old was shackled and wearing an anti-suicide smock as he sat hunched during the three-minute hearing at the criminal court in downtown Los Angeles.
His expression was captured in a courtroom sketch after a judge ordered no photographs of him to be taken.
He did not enter a plea, and only uttered three words to the judge when asked if his arraignment should be continued, replying simply: ‘Yes, your honor.’
Alan Jackson, Nick’s attorney who has previously represented major figures in Hollywood, asked the judge for a continuance, saying he ‘needed more time’ to prepare his case.
He told the court that it was ‘too early’ for his client to enter a plea and that he and the prosecution had agreed to delay the arraignment, which is now scheduled for January 7.
Nick, who has a troubling history of drug addiction and mental health problems, was formally charged with two counts of first degree murder on Tuesday. He is accused of violently killing the iconic director, 78, and his wife, 70, in their home.
Speaking outside the court Wednesday morning, Nick’s attorney made a point of highlighting the horrific tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family.
His expression was captured in a courtroom sketch after a judge ordered no photographs of him to be taken
Alan Jackson, Nick’s attorney who has previously represented major figures in Hollywood including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, spoke to the press outside court
Nick (right with his father in 2016) is accused of violently killing the iconic director, 78, and his wife, 70, in their home
‘Most importantly, this is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family, we all recognize that,’ Jackson told the press. ‘Our hearts go out to the entire Reiner family.’
‘There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case,’ he went on. ‘Those need to be thoroughly, but very carefully, dealt with and examined and looked at and analyzed.’
‘We ask that throughout the process, you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward.
‘Not with a rush to judgment, not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity and with the respect that this system and this process deserves and that the family deserves.’
Nick’s siblings Romy, 27, and her eldest brother Jake, 34, broke their silence today to describe their agony at what their family has been through over recent days.
‘Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,’ the grieving siblings said in their statement.
‘The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience.
‘They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends. We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life.’
The pair asked people for ‘respect and privacy’ and urged the public to treat any speculation with ‘compassion and humanity’.
Jake and Romy said they wanted their father, a legend in Hollywood, and acclaimed photographer mother, to be remembered for the ‘incredible lives they lived and the love’ they gave.
Rob Reiner (left) pictured with his wife Michele Singer Reiner, daughter Romy, son Nick, daughter-in-law Maria Gilfillan and son Jake Reiner in September
Nick Reiner, pictured in September, was said to be ‘acting crazy’ at a party with his parents where he was bothering celebrity guests and ended up in a row with his mother and father
The couple, who had been married for 36 years, were found slain in their $13.5million home in Brentwood on Sunday afternoon, at which time they had likely been dead for hours, police sources said.
A source close to the investigation told the Daily Mail that they had their throats slashed and were killed in their bed.
They were found after their daughter Romy was called over by a massage therapist who had arrived at the residence for a 2pm appointment.
The masseuse was unable to get inside and called Romy, who lives across the street with a roommate, for help.
Nick Reiner is seen in shackles and an anti-suicide smock during his first court appearance on December 17
Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead at their $13.5million six-bed Brentwood home (pictured)
Left to right: Jake Reiner, Nick Reiner, Romy Reiner, Michele Singer Reiner and Rob Reiner pictured together last year
Romy opened the door and discovered the gruesome scene of her father’s lifeless body before fleeing from the home. She was so distressed that she did not notice her mother’s slain body was also in the house.
Her roommate called 911 while Romy reached out to her father’s longtime friend Billy Crystal.
Romy only learned that her mother Michele Singer Reiner was also dead when paramedics arrived and broke the grim news, according to The New York Times.
Her older brother Nick was arrested in connection with the murders later that day, at around 9.15pm near a metro station by Exposition Park.
He has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and if convicted, could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty.
