Eerie reason why Nick Reiner's legal case could go down in history as he's charged for parents' murder
Earlier this week, 32-year-old Nick Reiner was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in a case that could go down in history, after the bodies of his parents were discovered in their Los Angeles home.
Much-loved actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer were stabbed to death on Sunday (14 Dec) in what police initially described as 'apparent homicides'.
Los Angeles investigators also revealed that a family member had been taken in for questioning.
In the days that followed, news broke that the couple's own son, Nick, had been charged with their murder.
Advert
For those in need of a reminder, the suspect - who was regularly spotted alongside his family during red carpet award shows of the 00s and 2010s - is best-known for having written the 2015 drama movie, Being Charlie, along with Matt Elisofon.
Starring actor Nick Robinson and directed by his father, the film was supposedly based on Nick Reiner's own battles with drug addiction and homelessness - though this was something he later refuted, telling PEOPLE magazine that he'd only experienced parts of the story himself.
After initially failing to turn up to court on Tuesday, Nick made an appearance on Wednesday (17 Dec) alongside lawyer Alan Jackson, where he waived his right to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty on the charge.
"We all recognise the tragedy, there's very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case," Jackson told attendees. "We ask that you allow the system to move forward in the way it was designed to move forward."
The possibility of the death penalty for Nick Reiner
Though a single conviction on a murder charge in California usually carries a maximum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years, the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders - as well as the fact he used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife - could see Nick facing capital punishment - AKA, the death penalty.
How could Nick Reiner's legal case go down in history?
Given the suspect's showbiz background, however, the case's forthcoming proceedings could be set to make history, being that Nick would become the first ever 'celebrity' to be sentenced to death.
Whilst we've observed serial killers and assassins sky-rocket to global stardom and consolidate 'celebrity status' after being sentenced to death - the likes of Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Jack Ruby and Aileen Wuornos, to name a few - no major Hollywood actors, chart-topping musicians, or superstar athletes have been handed the capital punishment.
Despite this possibility, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman insisted during a press conference yesterday that prosecutors haven't yet decided whether his team will pursue capital punishment for Nick.
"Prosecuting these cases involving family members are some of the most challenging and heart-wrenching cases that this office faces because of the intimate and often brutal nature of the crimes involved," he explained.
Despite California Governor Gavin Newsom previously having placed a moratorium on federal executions in the Golden State, the fact that capital punishment remains legal means it's very much a possibility.
The last death row prisoner to be executed in California was Clarence Ray Allen in 2006, who died by lethal injection after being convicted of four murders, he orchestrated from his prison cell.
In 2019, the state's governor Gavin Newsom placed a moratorium on federal executions - essentially, pausing these proceedings.
That said, however, federal executions remain legal, means it's very much a possibility if Hochman's team decide to pursue one.
"Prosecutors can pursue death cases, and people can be sentenced to death," criminal law professor at the University of Southern California, Aya Gruber explained. "It’s just that right now they’re not being put to death."
Rhianna Benson