Nick Reiner pleads not guilty to parents’ murders

The 32-year-old entered a not guilty plea on Monday to charges in connection with the double murder of his parents, award-winning actor and director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer. The pair were found fatally stabbed at their Los Angeles home in mid December. Police arrested Nick as a suspect the following day.

The double murder charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison or the death penalty. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters on Monday that his office was considering pursuing the death penalty, according to a report by the Associated Press. Hochman invited Nick’s team to submit arguments for his office to consider before deciding to go forward with the death penalty, Hochman said.

What else happened at the hearing? Nick appeared in court behind a glass partition, wearing a prison jumpsuit with a shaved head and short beard. The man waived his right to a speedy preliminary hearing on Monday and received no bail. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for April 29, at which time prosecutors are expected to present evidence of probable cause for a trial to proceed. Nick’s arraignment was originally scheduled for Jan. 7, but was postponed after his criminal defense attorney, Alan Jackson, suddenly left the case. Jackson has previously defended notable clients such as Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Karen Read.

Dig deeper: Read my previous report for more background on the double murder.