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

[Gemmie]

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?

 

[strawberry]

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?

They said it's because it was multiple murders

 

[LosAngeles]

I pray the parent's money isn't going toward his defense.

I believe under California law, a person who murders a decendant isn't allowed to benefit from the estate, therefore, his parents funds cannot fund his defense.

 

[arielilane]

I havent posted much on this thread, so perhaps its been mentioned already that Carroll O'Connor's son also struggled with addiction. Unfortunately, many people struggle with addiction, no matter where you come from, no one is exempt from addiction.
It's not an excuse, just thought it interesting and wanted to make note of CC's son.

The Reiner's ending very tragic, especially when it's your own family.

Rest easy, Rob and Michele Reiner.

Hugh Oconnor's Tragic Struggle With Addiction

Hugh Oconnor's Heartbreaking Journey Through Addiction Reveals The Stark Reality Behind His Shining Star. Read More To Uncover His Struggles. #Hughoconnor

www.silverscreen-magazine.com

So many of us are able to relate to this video.

 

[Elley Mae]

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?

https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-190-2/

Could be

(14) The murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity. As used in this section, the phrase “especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity” means a conscienceless or pitiless crime that is unnecessarily torturous to the victim.

(15) The defendant intentionally killed the victim by means of lying in wait.

 

[Gemmie]

They said it's because it was multiple murders

Yes, I realize there were multiple murders. He stated "These charges will be 2 counts of first degree murder, with a special circumstance of multiple murders". I'm trying to understand what a "special circumstance of multiple murders" means.

Maybe @MassGuy knows.

 

[Cedars]

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?

A little bit later the DA is asked that question and answers it.

It's a legal addition to the charge, a way of making the crime even more serious. Similarly, using a dangerous weapon (knife) is an added charge.

JMO

 

[Gemmie]

A little bit later the DA is asked that question and answers it.

It's a legal addition to the charge, a way of making the crime even more serious. Similarly, using a knife is an added charge.

JMO

Thank you! I had a feeling it was to make the crime more serious. I'm still not totally understanding it though.

And my apologies that I didn't finish listening to the presser, and instead paused it to ask the question since it puzzled me!

 

[JDG]

Has the murder weapon been recovered?

That will come out much later, not for public consumption.

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2001043887377272877

Rob Reiner latest: Son could face death penalty as he's charged over the killings of Rob Reiner and wife Michele, LA police say

Watch and follow live as Los Angeles police give an update on the investigation into the killings of director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, who were found dead at their home on Sunday. Their son, Nick, 32, has been arrested on suspicion of their murders.

news.sky.com

Nick Reiner charged over parents' killings, LA police say​

Los Angeles County district attorney Nathan Hochman starts the news conference by announcing that charges will be filed against Nick Reiner.

"These charges will be two counts of first degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders," he says.

"He also faces a special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, that being a knife."

'No decision' on death penalty

Hochman explains that the charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole and the death penalty.

"No decision at this point has been made with respect to the death penalty," he adds.

He goes on to insist that the charges are not evidence.

"Evidence is something that we will be presenting in a court of law to meet the standard of proof," he says.

"Once the charges get files this afternoon, Nick Reiner will be brought to court. He is going through medical clearance."

 

[arielilane]

@BrianEntin


Police say when Nick Reiner was arrested near University of Southern California -- he did not resist.


4:21 PM · Dec 16, 2025

 

[Gemmie]

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?

Answering my own question. When I said I was trying to understand it, I meant REALLY understand it.

Apparently it's California's Penal Code 190.2(a)(3). (sections color coded to make sense out of the (a) and (3) sections)

190.2. ​

(a) The penalty for a defendant who is found guilty of murder in the first degree is death or imprisonment in the state prison for life without the possibility of parole if one or more of the following special circumstances has been found under Section 190.4 to be true:

(1) The murder was intentional and carried out for financial gain.

(2) The defendant was convicted previously of murder in the first or second degree. For the purpose of this paragraph, an offense committed in another jurisdiction, which if committed in California would be punishable as first or second degree murder, shall be deemed murder in the first or second degree.

(3) The defendant, in this proceeding, has been convicted of more than one offense of murder in the first or second degree.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=190.2.

===================================================================================
Since Section 190.4 was mentioned above, here the part I think applies:

From page 12 at the link below:
(a) Whenever special circumstances as enumerated in Section 190.2 are alleged and the trier of fact finds the defendant guilty of first degree murder, the trier of fact shall also make a special finding on the truth of each alleged special circumstance. The determination of the truth of any or all of the special circumstances shall be made by the trier of fact on the evidence presented at the trial or at the hearing held pursuant to Subdivision (b) of Section 190.1.

In case of a reasonable doubt as to whether a special circumstance is true, the defendant is entitled to a finding that is not true. 1 The trier of fact shall make a special finding that each special circumstance charged is either true or not true. Whenever a special circumstance requires proof of the commission or attempted commission of a crime, such crime shall be charged and proved pursuant to the general law applying to the trial and conviction of the crime.

If the defendant was convicted by the court sitting without a jury, the trier of fact shall be a jury unless a jury is waived by the defendant and by the people, in which case the trier of fact shall be the court. If the defendant was convicted by a plea of guilty, the trier of fact shall be a jury unless a jury is waived by the defendant and by the people.

If the trier of fact finds that any one or more of the special circumstances enumerated in Section 190.2 as charged is true, there shall be a separate penalty hearing, and neither the finding that any of the remaining special circumstances charged is not true, nor if the trier of fact is a jury, the inability of the jury to agree on the issue of the truth or untruth of any of the remaining special circumstances charged, shall prevent the holding of a separate penalty hearing.

https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-7101/74839/20181211154001480_App.%20D.%20California%20Penal%20Code%20Sections%20187%20%20190%20%20190.1%20%20190.2%20%20190.3%20%20190.4%20%20and%20190.5.pdf

 

[steeltowngirl]

I wonder if he was drinking or had been using drugs, to display this behavior at a holiday party.

Probably. If not, he may have been in withdrawal.
Dry drunk syndrome, cold turkey withdrawal, jonesing.

Rage.

JMO

 

[steeltowngirl]

I believe under California law, a person who murders a decendant isn't allowed to benefit from the estate, therefore, his parents funds cannot fund his defense.

Would that law apply if a person has not yet been convicted of murder?

 

[MistyWaters]

Would that law apply if a person has not yet been convicted of murder?

Typically any inheritance is held back if charges have already been laid, pending outcome.

 

[LosAngeles]

I suppose if his parents gave him a monthly allowance (prior to their deaths) and he squirreled away the money and used this as his retainer, then that would work. But, he's barred from any inheritance of his parents estate to fund his defense.

 

[Chimera]

Addiction is a god awful disease. My son just died a week ago of a drug overdose. I’m still trying to find my way here. Like the old saying Can’t lead a horse to water. It’s been a very tough week. So I understand the pain they had when it came to their son. It’s just a very tough situation.

So incredibly sorry to hear this, @Pattyj82060 .
Awful.
Please take care of yourself as well !

 

[Chimera]

It got physical at the party?

Sounds like a verbal spat ?

 

[NuttMegg]

Answering my own question. When I said I was trying to understand it, I meant REALLY understand it.

Apparently it's California's Penal Code 190.2(a)(3). (sections color coded to make sense out of the (a) and (3) sections)

190.2. ​

(a) The penalty for a defendant who is found guilty of murder in the first degree is death or imprisonment in the state prison for life without the possibility of parole if one or more of the following special circumstances has been found under Section 190.4 to be true:

(1) The murder was intentional and carried out for financial gain.

(2) The defendant was convicted previously of murder in the first or second degree. For the purpose of this paragraph, an offense committed in another jurisdiction, which if committed in California would be punishable as first or second degree murder, shall be deemed murder in the first or second degree.

(3) The defendant, in this proceeding, has been convicted of more than one offense of murder in the first or second degree.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCThiode=PEN&sectionNum=190.2.

===================================================================================
SinceI 190.4 was mentioned above, here the part I think applies:

From page 12 at the link below:
(a) Whenever special circumstances as enumerated in Section 190.2 are alleged and the trier of fact finds the defendant guilty of first degree murder, the trier of fact shall also make a special finding on the truth of each alleged special circumstance. The determination of the truth of any or all of the special circumstances shall be made by the trier of fact on the evidence presented at the trial or at the hearing held pursuant to Subdivision (b) of Section 190.1.

In case of a reasonable doubt as to whether a special circumstance is true, the defendant is entitled to a finding that is not true. 1 The trier of fact shall make a special finding that each special circumstance charged is either true or not true. Whenever a special circumstance requires proof of the commission or attempted commission of a crime, such crime shall be charged and proved pursuant to the general law applying to the trial and conviction of the crime.

If the defendant was convicted by the court sitting without a jury, the trier of fact shall be a jury unless a jury is waived by the defendant and by the people, in which case the trier of fact shall be the court. If the defendant was convicted by a plea of guilty, the trier of fact shall be a jury unless a jury is waived by the defendant and by the people.

If the trier of fact finds that any one or more of the special circumstances enumerated in Section 190.2 as charged is true, there shall be a separate penalty hearing, and neither the finding that any of the remaining special circumstances charged is not true, nor if the trier of fact is a jury, the inability of the jury to agree on the issue of the truth or untruth of any of the remaining special circumstances charged, shall prevent the holding of a separate penalty hearing.

https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-7101/74839/20181211154001480_App.%20D.%20California%20Penal%20Code%20Sections%20187%20%20190%20%20190.1%20%20190.2%20%20190.3%20%20190.4%20%20and%20190.5.pdf

Doesn't each state have various extra charges? For instance in Colorado Chris Watts was charged an extra 1st deg murder for each of the 2 murdered kids, the extra 1st deg murder was because the kids were under 12. So four 1st degree murder charges for 2 bodies. Then one more for Shanann, one more 1st deg charge for terminating her pregnancy, and 3 more felonies for moving the bodies. 9 charges total. Maybe another state wouldn't have the extra murder charge for a child less than 12. Thats how I am seeing CA's extra charge for murdering more than one person.

Presumably it would work as a deterrent?

Then, in Arizona, Scholtes was charged with 1st degree murder but the plea dropped it to 2nd. But it was worse than mere 2nd degree because there was also child abuse involved.

 

[Bigditch]

Addiction is a god awful disease. My son just died a week ago of a drug overdose. I’m still trying to find my way here. Like the old saying Can’t lead a horse to water. It’s been a very tough week. So I understand the pain they had when it came to their son. It’s just a very tough situation.

Hugs