CA - Murder victims Identified as Rob Reiner and wife Michele - LA Dec 14 2025

[PatLaurel]

There is nothing to suggest what the defense strategy will be. <Modsnip: Off topic to this case>

My opinion is that the estate has hired Jackson, not to get Nick off, but to ensure that as he moves through the justice system, his rights are protected, and an attempt to get him some mental health treatment. To lose respect for Jackson, as I read in this thread is unfortunate. Without defense, we have no system of justice. imo.

I am not suggesting that NR, or anyone, regardless of the alleged crime, should be denied competent legal representation. My objection is to AJ’s strategy <modsnip> Fortunately, we all understand that not guilty does not mean innocent.
Some rest easy at night, while others will forever be followed by ghosts. Haunted freedom, a life sentence by itself. MOO JMO

It was also unfortunate to see people mocking DA Hank Brennan and losing respect for him. Without prosecution we have no system for enforcing the law. MOO JMO

 

[Cedars]

I hope this is true and he is ineligible.

Yes, but if convicted, he'll be in jail for the rest of his life, so what would he be spending it on, anyway?

The lawyer might be gambling that if he wins the case, NR will get his inheritance and pay him very well then...

JMO

 

[BUF]

Looks like Jackson went in the side gate with others. Looks like he had the combination to the lock to get in….maybe entrance to the guest house?

Nick Reiner's lawyer arrives at the home of Rob and Michele Reiner | Fox News Video

Alan Jackson, Karen Read's former criminal defense attorney, arrived at the home of Rob and Michele Reiner on Dec. 16 after confirming he's representing the director's son, Nick Reiner.

www.foxnews.com

video at link

 

[Seattle1]

He is being charge with 2 counts of first degree murder, but also a "special circumstance of multiple murders". What does that mean?

Cued up:

Does anyone know what that means?

For one, this enhancer meets the CA exception of all defendants allowed the right to bail. In other words, NR will not be eligible for pretrial bail release, and he will remain in the custody of the County Sheriff until jurors deliver their verdict. I recall the DA citing two special circumstances: multiple murders and the use of a dangerous weapon (knife).

 

[Arkay]

Where is this coming from? I vigorously disagree and see no evidence for that.

Same.

Of course we don’t know this family personally, but IMO these parents tried extensively and in every way to help Nick. He’s 32, didn’t have children where maybe then his parents would’ve taken them in; but otherwise at his age, making his choices, I think they seem to have tried everything.

As for Rob not letting Nick talk too much in interviews, I see some of that but Rob Reiner was a BIG personality, an actor but also a director, accustomed to directing.

That was his style and it’s what gave Nick a luxurious life. And also in an interview, Rob is “on.” In their private life at home, I believe Nick got an enormous amount of attention, as he was the problem child.

And aged 32, if he didn’t want to be around his father, or around either parent, he could have packed his bags and stayed away permanently, and try to make it on his own.

JMO

 

[Seattle1]

Just heard the Los Angeles DA give a press conference. So it seems California brought back the death penalty, though it hasn't been used since 2006.

No, not exactly. The death penalty has always been legal in California under state law, but Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2019 executive order instituted a moratorium halting all executions while he remains in office. As of April 2025, 589 people remain on death row—down nearly 10% from 2024—though no one has been executed since 2006.

2025 - Status

 

[NuttMegg]

From the article:

Rob, they say, was dead. But Michele, they say, was alive enough to tell Romy that it was her brother, Nick, who’d tried to kill them.

“He left us here for dead,” the source says Michelle told Romy.

That would explain why almost instantly it was reported that the stabbings were the work of a family member.

"He left us here for dead" sounds unlikely to me.
Not unlikely that he did that, but kind of dramatic and pulp fictiony that she would have said it that way.

 

[Cedars]

Where is this coming from? I vigorously disagree and see no evidence for that.

My understanding of the term codependent is it's not an a diagnosis or a label one applieds to others, but is just part of a certain self-help movement, supposedly helping unhappy people to have more insight into themselves in the context of unhappiness with relationships.

To throw it as an accusation at a) an immensely successful and happy person b) who is a parent c) who is dead and d) has been murdered by their child...well, I guess maybe in an AA meeting...

JMO

 

[steeltowngirl]

"He left us here for dead" sounds unlikely to me.
Not unlikely that he did that, but kind of dramatic and pulp fictiony that she would have said it that way.

Agree. The DA warned us during the presser that there would be rumors, and not to trust all that is being published. He probably has heard them all already.

 

[JDG]

"He left us here for dead" sounds unlikely to me.
Not unlikely that he did that, but kind of dramatic and pulp fictiony that she would have said it that way.

They would have been dead for hours, in a state of rigor mortis IMO.

Not making statements.

 

[Cindizzi]

Just spotted this in TV guide. Tonight on ABC.
I’m in Mountain Time Zone so it starts in an hour here for me.

 

[NuttMegg]

My understanding of the term codependent is it's not an a diagnosis or a label one applieds to others, but is just part of a certain self-help movement, supposedly helping unhappy people to have more insight into themselves in the context of unhappiness with relationships.

To throw it as an accusation at a) an immensely successful and happy person b) who is a parent c) who is dead and d) has been murdered by their child...well, I guess maybe in an AA meeting...

JMO

The term codependent applied to RR implies shared guilt for the crime, which isn't fair, imo.

 

[BUF]

Daily Mail has video of when he was arrested. If you blow it up, it looks like he has a red backpack over his left shoulder.

VIDEO: Exclusive Daily Mail footage shows Nick Reiner arrest | Daily Mail Online

 

[realanastasia]

Insightful article, quite lengthy, somewhat foreboding..

Quote following the release of ‘Being Charlie’.

I Sat Down to Dinner With Rob, Michele and Nick Reiner. It Was Heartwarming and Jarring.

With a son suspected of murder, recalling a Toronto restaurant session from 10 years ago — and the light it sheds on a dark dynamic.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

‘He turned back to the table. “It was very hard. The number one job of any parent is to keep their child safe. And I hadn’t done that.” He was almost tearing up. “And now here I have done that. I kept him safe. He came out alive.”

Here in 2025, the words kept ricocheting through my brain. Yes, Nick had come out alive. It was Rob that hadn’t.’

This is an excellent retrospective essay, but the quote from Romy where she describes Nick as her “best friend” is absolutely gutting, thinking about the horrific images and emotional trauma she will likely always carry with her, thanks to the actions of that man.

 

[no nonsense]

He could opt for a Bench Trial (by judge) or he could just confess/Plead Guilty if he wanted to spare everyone a trial.

Couldn’t he plead guilty but mentally ill?

 

[Cedars]

The term codependent applied to RR implies shared guilt for the crime, which isn't fair, imo.

Exactly.

Imagine if women murdered by their partners were labelled 'codependent'...

 

[NuttMegg]

Exactly.

Imagine if women murdered by their partners were labelled 'codependent'...

I did find a definition of the term, but I don't agree with it because it seems touchy feely new age whatever. We're all codependent, and sometimes its a positive dynamic. But in this case I'd not use it.

 

[Cindizzi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2001102547143065819

 

[NuttMegg]

I still don't think he went to the hotel, back to kill them, and returned to the hotel.

Rob Reiner and Wife Michele Were Killed in 'Early Morning Hours' by Son Nick Who Fled from Their Home, Says DA's Office

The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has shared new information on the timeline of the deaths of director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner. Their son, Nick Reiner, is accused of killing Rob and Michele in the "early morning hours" of Dec. 14, according to authorities.

people.com

 

[iamshadow21]

Couldn’t he plead guilty but mentally ill?

The bar for insanity is pretty straightforward most places.

Did they know what they were doing was wrong? Did they know it would harm their victims?

If they answer is yes to either, he doesn't meet the bar.

MOO