Nick Reiner Arraignment: Not Guilty Plea Entered, Three Defense Paths Remain

Nick Reiner's arraignment concluded this morning in Los Angeles. After two previous court appearances that brought delays and drama but no plea, the 32-year-old finally entered his formal response to charges that he murdered his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, in their Brentwood home on December 14th.

The plea: not guilty. To both counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances.

Public defender Kimberly Greene spoke the words on his behalf as Nick sat behind glass in a brown jumpsuit, his head shaved, his demeanor subdued. He waived his right to a speedy preliminary hearing. The next court date is April 29th.

But today's plea was procedure, not strategy. The real defense hasn't been revealed.

California law allows defendants to add an insanity plea later, triggering a two-phase trial. The defense team is still gathering psychiatric evaluations, still assessing Nick's mental state at the time of the killings, still deciding which path offers the best outcome.

The options are limited. Full insanity is a longshot—Nick was functional enough to argue with his father at a party hours before the deaths. Diminished actuality is more viable—his schizoaffective disorder and a reported medication change could challenge the premeditation element, reducing charges. Incompetence to stand trial remains possible if the defense argues he can't participate in his own case.

DA Hochman says the case is on track. Death penalty decision pending. Most evidence has been turned over. Now we wait.

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This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

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