Accused murderer Nick Reineris due back in court Wednesdayfor his arraignment, during which a judge will inform him of the charges he faces and he'll have the chance to enter a plea.
The32-year-old charged with killing his parents,beloved filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner, was set to be arraigned Dec. 17, but hishigh-profile lawyer, Alan Jackson, asked to delay the a formal legal proceeding until Jan. 7. Jackson didn't explain his reasons, but the move could have been designed to give the defense team a chance to psychiatrically evaluate Reiner, according to Mark Bederow, a criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor.
A psychiatric evaluation would be relevant not just to a potential insanity defense, but also to whether Reiner is mentally competent to go through court proceedings such as an arraignment.
Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Los Angeles premiere on Sept. 9, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Actor Tracy Reiner (second from left), honorees Carl Reiner and Rob Reiner, actor Michele Singer Reiner, writer Nick Reiner, and Romy Reiner attend the Carl and Rob Reiner Hand and Footprint Ceremony during the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival on April 7, 2017 in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Director Rob Reiner and family arrive at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005 in Hollywood, Calif." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rob Reiner and his family attend the premiere of the film "Kangaroo Jack" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Jan. 11, 2003, in Hollywood, Calif." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Frank Thomas and Rob Reiner and sons pose during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on Nov. 3, 2000." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Who is Nick Reiner, Rob Reiner's son? See photos
Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Los Angeles premiere on Sept. 9, 2025.
"One of the things that they want to do is is get a determination of, 'Is he even fit? Does he understand what's going on?'" Bederow tells USA TODAY. "It makes perfect sense to me that, at least initially, the defense would want to pause and see if they can explore that issue."
The upcoming court appearance could reveal more about how Reiner is approaching his defense against criminal charges that could land him behind bars for life.
Here are your questions answered ahead of the court appearance.
Rob Reiner's son Nick Reinerto be arraigned in court for murder charges
Will Nick Reiner's arraignment be televised?
It's up to the judge to decide whether Reiner's arraignment will be televised, according to the communications office for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, where Reiner's case was filed. The court told USA TODAY the judge may make a ruling on that at the arraignment itself.
At Reiner's first court appearance Dec. 17, Judge Theresa McGonigle allowed cameras to stream the proceedings, but prohibited media from taking photos or videos of Reiner himself. The 32-year-old was wearing a suicide-prevention vest in the courtroom, which was captured in courtroom sketches.
What is Nick Reiner accused of doing?
Reiner is charged with murdering both his parents, Hollywood actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner. Rob Reiner was known for directing film classics including"When Harry Met Sally"and"A Few Good Men,"and also starring as Archie Bunker's liberal son-in-lawMichael "Meathead" Stivicon "All in the Family."
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Dec. 16 that Reiner will becharged with two counts of first-degree murderwith a "special circumstance" for allegedly committing multiple murders. That "special" add-on means prosecutors could seek the death penalty. Hochman said his office hasn't yet decided whether to do so.
The Reiners werefound dead in their homein the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles Dec. 14. Nick Reiner, who had a history of drug abuse dating back to his teenage years, was reportedly living in a guest house on his parents' property.He was arrested later the same daynear the campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Could Nick Reiner get out on bail?
After his arrest, Nick Reiner's bail was initially set at $4 million but was later revoked – meaning he can't put up any sum of money to be released ahead of a trial. His arraignment could be an opportunity for his defense team to raise that issue on his behalf.
Judges in California take various factors into account in deciding whether to set bail and other release conditions, such as whether the defendant is a flight risk or poses a threat to the community.
Who is Alan Jackson, Nick Reiner's lawyer?
Alan Jacksonis a flashy courtroom litigator known for achieving major wins for some high-profile clients.
Jackson got prosecutors todrop sexual assault charges against movie star Kevin Spaceyin 2019 after scrutinizing the accuser's story and cell phone evidence. He won an acquittal for Karen Read, whose trialcaptured audiences nationwide, on charges that she murdered her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe.
In Read's case, Jackson also showed a deft touch when it came to the court of public opinion. He gave media interviews and frequently motioned publicly to her supporters, who grew into a large crowd outside the Dedham, Massachusetts, courthouse by the time of her acquittal.
Jackson already put his comfortability with the media to work outside court Dec. 17 in Reiner's case, acknowledging to a legion of cameras the "devastating tragedy" for the Reiner family, but also urging the public to wait for "very complex and serious issues" in the young man's case to be analyzed.
What have Nick Reiner's siblings said?
In addition to Nick Reiner, Rob and Michele Reiner shared childrenJake and Romy Reiner. The brother and sister said in a joint statement toTMZandPeopleDec. 17 that words couldn't "begin to describe the unimaginable pain" they were experiencing. They asked for privacy, and for speculation about the murders "to be tempered with compassion and humanity."
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, director Rob Reiner at AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rob, Michele, his mother Estelle Reiner, and father Carl at the premiere of 'Best In Show,' Sept.19, 2000, in West Hollywood." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Frank Thomas, Rob and his sons during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards in Las Vegas." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rob and his son at Game 4 of the Lakers - Timberwolves 2003 NBA playoffs in L.A.." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rob and his family at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rob with Michele and their son at the 59th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Feb. 3, 2007 in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Carl Reiner, left, and Rob and his wife Michele Singer Reiner and their daughter Romy at the 60th annual ACE Eddie Awards on February 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Calif." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rob and Michele at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011, in L.A." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rob and Michele and their son at Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event on Aug. 9, 2013 in L.A." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rob and Michele attend the Family Equality LA Awards Dinner on Feb. 11, 2012, in Universal City, Calif." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rob, Michele and daughter Romy at the 'Shock and Awe' premiere at the 13th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 30, 2017, in Zurich, Switzerland." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Romy, Rob and Michele at the premiere of Electric Entertainment's 'LBJ' at the Arclight Theatre on October 24, 2017, in L.A." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Romy, Rob and Michele at the Friar's Club Entertainment Icon Award at The Ziegfeld Ballroom Nov. 12, 2018, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
See Hollywood icon Rob Reiner and his family
Director Carl Reiner presents an award to his son, directorRob Reinerat AARP Magazine's "10th Annual Movies For Grownups" on Feb. 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif.Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were killed Dec. 14.
All three children are seen in various photos with their parents at Hollywood events stretching across many years. Rob Reiner directed a film,"Being Charlie,"cowritten by Nick Reiner that was loosely based on the son's struggles with drug addiction.
Will Reiner autopsy reports be released?
In aDec. 29 statement, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office said it has received a court order to withhold the autopsy reports for Rob and Michele Reiner. The Los Angeles Police Department sought the order, according to the statement. The medical examiner's office said information on the deaths will be made available once the order is lifted.
Some details on the couple's condition when their bodies were discovered was released earlier, includingpreliminary findings from the medical examiner's officethat the deaths were homicides caused by "multiple sharp force injuries."
The district attorney said Nick Reiner will face a "special allegation" in his case that he used a dangerous weapon – "a knife" – in the killings. That type of allegation can lead to added prison time.
Contributing: Bryan Alexander, KiMi Robinson, Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Nick Reiner update – Rob Reiner's son could seek bail at arraignment
