Nick Reiner, 32, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, and could face life without parole or the death penalty. California has not executed anyone since January 2006, when Clarence Ray Allen was put to death at San Quentin after being convicted of orchestrating multiple murders from prison. Los Angeles County DA Nathan Hochman says no decision has been made about seeking capital punishment and that the family’s wishes will be considered. Reiner did not enter a plea on Dec. 17; his next court date is Jan. 7.
Nick Reiner May Face Death Penalty — A Look Back at California’s Last Execution
Denise Truscello/Getty; California Department of Corrections and RehabilitationNick Reiner, Clarence Ray Allen
Nick Reiner, 32, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, director Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, who were found dead inside their Los Angeles home on Dec. 14. Prosecutors say the charges carry penalties that include life in prison without the possibility of parole or, potentially, the death penalty.
Splash News Clarence Ray Allen
Current Case Developments
Los Angeles County prosecutors say no final decision has been made about seeking capital punishment. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said his office will weigh the facts of the case and the family’s wishes before deciding whether to pursue the death penalty. Reiner did not enter a plea at his first court appearance on Dec. 17 and is scheduled to return on Jan. 7.
Todd Williamson/JanuaryImages/Shutterstock; Alberto E. Rodriguez/GettyNick Reiner; Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner
Why California’s Last Execution Matters
Although capital punishment remains on California’s books, the state has not executed anyone in nearly two decades. The last execution took place in January 2006, when Clarence Ray Allen, 76, was put to death by lethal injection at San Quentin State Prison. Allen had been convicted of orchestrating multiple murders — including arranging killings from inside prison — and prosecutors said he paid an inmate to murder witnesses he feared would testify against him.
REUTERSClarence Ray Allen
“My last words will be, Hoka Hey, it’s a good day to die. Thank you very much; I love you all. Goodbye.” — Clarence Ray Allen, final statement before execution
Allen’s convictions dated back to the 1970s and included a 1982 conviction tied to a Fresno-area grocery store attack in which several people were killed. His execution closed a high-profile, decades-long case and remains the most recent carried out by the state.
Context And What Comes Next
Even though California retains the death penalty, executions have been effectively paused for years because of legal challenges, policy decisions and logistical issues. If prosecutors choose to seek capital punishment in the Reiner case, it would be an uncommon move in the contemporary California legal landscape.
What to watch: whether Los Angeles prosecutors formally seek the death penalty, any developments at upcoming hearings, and statements from the Reiner family.
