Nick Reiner indicted on murder charges in parents' deaths

A Los Angeles County grand jury has indicted Nick Reiner, 32, on two counts of murder in the December deaths of his parents, director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, adding a special circumstance allegation that he was lying in wait before attacking them Source: AP News. The indictment, returned July 20 and unsealed Wednesday, allows prosecutors to bypass a preliminary hearing and moves the case closer to trial Source: NPR. Reiner pleaded not guilty Source: BBC.

The allegation

The lying-in-wait allegation, along with the use of a knife, makes Reiner eligible for the death penalty, though prosecutors have not decided whether to seek it Source: AP News. The indictment does not specify how or why Reiner was lying in wait, and a motive has not been made public Source: Los Angeles Times. The couple was found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on Dec. 14; Reiner was arrested hours later Source: CNN.

Trust fund dispute

Separately, Reiner is seeking funds from a trust his parents established, claiming trustees have denied him money needed for his defense Source: NPR. The trust reportedly has at least $1.5 million in assets Source: AP News. He hopes to rehire attorney Alan Jackson, who initially represented him Source: NPR. A hearing on the petition is set for next week Source: AP News.

Reaction

District Attorney Nathan Hochman called the killings "a profound betrayal" Source: The Guardian. The couple's eldest son, Jake Reiner, has spoken publicly about the loss, saying "nothing compares to losing both of them at the same time and, on top of that, having your brother be at the center of it" Source: BBC.