Nick Reiner, the son of filmmaker Rob and his wife, Michele Reiner, is potentially facing the death penalty after he was charged with first-degree murder following their shocking murders earlier this month.
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According to Fox News, Nick waived his rights after Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges.
“These charges will be two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders,” Hochman said. “He also faces a special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, that being a knife.”
He then stated, “These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.”
Rob and Michele Reiner were discovered dead at their home on Dec. 14. Both of their throats were reportedly slit, and they had multiple stab wounds. The daughter told responding police officers that a family member had killed them. She also stated that the family member “should be a suspect,” accusing them of being “dangerous.”
Nick was eventually arrested. He had allegedly killed both of his parents following a heated argument.
Rob Reiner rose to fame in the 1970s as a star of the hit sitcom All in the Family. He later directed buzz-worthy films, including Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, and A Few Good Men.
A Moratorium Signed By California Governor Gavin Newsom Could Prevent Rob and Michele Reiner’s Son From Being Executed
Although it’s possible that Nick could receive a death penalty sentence, a moratorium instituted by California Governor Gavin Newsom will stop the execution.
Oakland criminal defense lawyer Jo-Anna Nieves told Fox News that although the moratorium doesn’t repeal capital punishment in California, where Nick was arrested, it has stopped all executions within the state indefinitely.
“The executive order issued by Gavin Newsom halted executions, closed the execution chamber at San Quentin, and paused lethal-injection protocols,” Nieves explained. “But it did not repeal the death penalty or invalidate death sentences imposed by courts. California still has the death penalty on the books, and prosecutors are legally permitted to seek it in eligible cases.”
Nieves further pointed out that no executive would occur even if the prosecutors pursue the death penalty. “The sentence would legally exist, but its enforcement would remain suspended,” she added. “Unless the moratorium is lifted by a future governor or the law is changed through legislation or voter action.”