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By Hollie Silverman and Joshua Rhett Miller
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Nick Reiner, the son of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer-producer Michele Singer Reiner, has been indicted on two counts of murder in the December stabbing deaths of his parents at their Brentwood home in California.
Prosecutors announced Wednesday that a Los Angeles County grand jury returned an indictment that adds new "special circumstance" accusations to the case.
The indictment alleges that Nick Reiner, 32, committed two murders and did so "by means of lying in wait," a special circumstance under California law.
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The Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office told Newsweek in an email Wednesday that it had no further comment on the case.
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District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement that the indictment added the allegation that the defendant committed the murders "by means of lying in wait," describing the case as "a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing."
What Is Nick Reiner Accused Of?
Nick Reiner has been indicted on two counts of murder in the deaths of his parents. Prosecutors allege that he killed both of them with a knife and have added special-circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait.
He also faces a special allegation that he "personally used a deadly or dangerous weapon" during the killings, according to court documents.
Reiner pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment on Wednesday. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, the newly unsealed indictment replaces the original criminal complaint and allows the case to move directly toward trial.
If convicted on the charges and special-circumstance allegations, Reiner could face either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, though prosecutors have not yet decided whether they will seek capital punishment.
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What Is a 'Special Circumstance'?
"Under California law, special circumstances are aggravating factors that can elevate the penalties for a murder charge up to mandatory life or even death," attorney Barbara McQuade told Newsweek in an email Wednesday, adding, "In this case, the special circumstance was lying in wait."
"The charges strike me as appropriate based on the facts," she added.
If prosecutors prove a special circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt, a defendant can face enhanced penalties, including life in prison without the possibility of parole or, in some cases, the death penalty.
In Nick Reiner's case, prosecutors allege two special circumstances: multiple murders, because two victims were killed, and murder by means of lying in wait, which generally refers to a killing carried out after concealing one's purpose and then making a surprise attack.
The grand jury indictment unsealed Wednesday added the lying-in-wait allegation to the case.
Los Angeles County prosecutors say the special-circumstance allegations could worsen the penalties if Reiner is convicted.
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What Happens Next?
With the grand jury indictment now unsealed and Reiner having entered a not guilty plea, the case will move toward trial without the public preliminary hearing that had previously been expected.
Reiner remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to return to Los Angeles County Superior Court for a pretrial hearing on September 15. During the coming months, both sides are expected to litigate pretrial issues and prepare for a jury trial.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Hollie Silverman, Dave Siminoff and Edward T. Cummins.
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