Defense Attorney Warns Nick Reiner Likely to Delay First Court Appearance After Arrest in Parents’ Murder

Defense attorney Alan Jackson has warned that Nick Reiner, who was arrested on Monday on suspicion of murdering his parents, is unlikely to make his first court appearance on Tuesday.

Arrest and Current Status

Nick Reiner, 32, was taken into custody Monday after police discovered the bodies of his parents, Rob, 78, and Michele Reiner, 68, inside their home in Los Angeles’ Brentwood community. The victims were found Sunday, and Reiner remains in jail without bail. No criminal charges had been filed as of Tuesday morning.

Defense Attorney’s Statements

Outside court in Los Angeles, Jackson confirmed he has been retained as Reiner’s defense counsel. He told reporters that it was unclear when Reiner would appear before a judge, but that the appearance was unlikely to happen on Tuesday. Jackson also noted that Reiner still needs medical clearance before he can go to court, describing it as a procedural issue. The sheriff’s department requires medical screenings for reasons such as court remands and new bookings.

Case Details and Legal Process

The case will be presented to county prosecutors for consideration of criminal charges. Los Angeles County prosecutors planned to speak about the case at a 1 p.m. Tuesday news conference. Details about a possible motive for the killings were not immediately available. A source close to Reiner confirmed to NBC News that Reiner and his wife had apparent stab wounds. The medical examiner has not provided details about an official cause of death.

Family Background and Film Collaboration

Rob Reiner, a celebrated director whose long list of successful films includes “When Harry Met Sally…,” “A Few Good Men” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” and Michele Reiner, a talent photographer and producer, stunned the Hollywood community and led to an outpouring of tributes from entertainment industry colleagues, political figures and more. The couple’s challenges with Nick were well-documented, including battles with drug addiction.

In 2015, Rob and Nick worked on a coming‑of‑age film together called “Being Charlie.” The film, directed by Rob and co‑written by Nick, explored the relationship between a son and father. In a 2016 interview with the Associated Press, they talked about the film. “It forced us to understand ourselves better than we had,” Rob told AP. “I told Nick while we were making it, I said, ‘You know it doesn’t matter, whatever happens to this thing, we won already. This has already been good.’ We’ve worked through a lot of stuff.”

In September, the family appeared together at the Los Angeles premiere of “Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues.”

Addiction History and Public Statements

Nick Reiner has spoken publicly over the years about his struggles with drug addiction, which began in his teens. He told People in an interview in 2016 that he cycled in and out of treatment facilities with bouts of homelessness and relapses in between. “I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun,” Nick told People, adding that, “If I wanted to do it my way and not go to the programs they were suggesting, then I had to be homeless.”

Key Takeaways

• Nick Reiner, 32, arrested for the murders of his parents, is unlikely to appear in court on Tuesday.
• Reiner remains in jail without bail; no charges filed yet, and he needs medical clearance.
• The case will be presented to county prosecutors, with a news conference scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Reiner’s arrest and the tragic deaths of his parents have shocked the Los Angeles community, while his past struggles with addiction and the family’s public history add layers to the unfolding legal saga.