Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty to the killings of his parents, Hollywood director Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner, in a Los Angeles court Monday.
The 32-year-old’s plea to charges of two counts of first-degree murder, with the special circumstance of multiple murders, was entered by his public defender, Kimberly Greene.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of life without possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, speaking to reporters after the hearing, said they are still reviewing whether to seek the death penalty. They are also still waiting for the coroner’s final report, he said.
“We take the process in which we determine whether the death penalty should be sought very seriously,” he said, adding that they will be considering all “aggravating and mitigating circumstances.”
Nick Reiner sat behind glass while Greene entered the guilty plea for him. He answered yes while acknowledging his waived right to a speedy preliminary hearing. His next hearing was scheduled for April 29.
A not-guilty plea is common for criminal defendants at this stage of the case, as The Associated Press reported.
Reiner had been set to enter a plea last month in the December stabbings but his defense attorney withdrew from the case during his last court hearing.
Nick Reiner’s parents were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home on December 14. He was taken into custody hours later without incident, authorities said at the time.
Nick Reiner, who is the third of Rob Reiner’s four children, has a history of substance use. Authorities have not said anything about possible motives.
He is being held without bail.