Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – The son of famed Hollywood director Rob Reiner could be medically cleared to appear in court as soon as Wednesday to face charges over the killing of his parents, the man’s lawyer said. Nick Reiner, 32, who has a history of substance abuse stretching back to his teenage years, is facing two counts of first-degree murder over the killing of his parents, the chief prosecutor of Los Angeles said Tuesday. District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s office said in a statement that Reiner had been charged with “two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.” If convicted, he could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty, given the special circumstances included in the charges. Reiner is expected to be arraigned as soon as he is able to appear at a Los Angeles courthouse.
His lawyer, Alan Jackson, told reporters on Tuesday that Reiner had so far not been medically cleared to appear, a process he described as “procedural.” “The bailiff has indicated that the sheriff’s department will take it on a day-by-day basis, and so hopefully he’ll be cleared tomorrow, and we can get him here.” Reiner was arrested on Sunday after the bodies of his 78-year-old filmmaker father and mother, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were discovered at their home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Prosecutors said Rob Reiner — who directed huge hits including “When Harry Met Sally” and “A Few Good Men” — and his wife were stabbed to death. According to US media reports, Nick Reiner had argued with his parents at a glitzy Hollywood party the prior evening. Entertainment outlet TMZ said the couple’s daughter found the bodies on Sunday afternoon.
Rob Reiner, the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner, started his showbiz career in acting. He won fame as the oafish son-in-law Michael “Meathead” Stivic on groundbreaking 1970s sitcom “All in the Family,” before transitioning to directing. Even while leading behind the camera, he often appeared in cameo roles in his own films. As a director, he struck Hollywood gold. His output included classic films like 1984’s rock music mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap,” fantasy gem “The Princess Bride” from 1987, and seminal coming-of-age movie “Stand By Me.” “A Few Good Men,” starring Hollywood heavyweights Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
– ‘Heartbroken’ –
Entertainers and politicians paid tribute to the beloved filmmaker following his death. Actor-director Ben Stiller described Reiner as “a kind caring person who was really really funny,” and someone who “made some of the most formative movies for my generation.” Former Democratic president Barack Obama said he and his wife Michelle were “heartbroken.” “Beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people,” he said on X. The former first lady said on the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” show on Monday that she and her husband had planned to see the Reiners Sunday night. California Governor Gavin Newsom said Reiner had “made California a better place.”
President Donald Trump, meanwhile, unleashed an extraordinary broadside, suggesting that Reiner brought on his own murder by criticizing him. Trump claimed the Reiners had died “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.” “He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession,” the Republican leader wrote. The comments were blasted by two prominent right-wing Republicans, including Representative Thomas Massie, who called them “inappropriate and disrespectful.” Reiner was politically active, an outspoken supporter of progressive causes, and had warned that Trump was mounting an authoritarian takeover.
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