If convicted, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty. The couple was murdered in their bed in a mansion in Los Angeles, and the news of the indictment comes just two days after the horrific crime, according to US media.
At a news conference Tuesday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed the charges, but added that no decision had been made on whether prosecutors would seek the death penalty. “He also faces a separate charge of personally using a dangerous weapon, which is a knife,” Hochman said.
The lifeless bodies of Rob, 78, and Michele Reiner were found Sunday in their $13.5 million Brentwood mansion. They were discovered by their youngest daughter, Romy, who lives in the neighborhood. They were found in bed with their throats cut.
Just hours before the double murder, on Saturday night, Rob Reiner allegedly had a “very loud argument” with son Nick at a Christmas party hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. Multiple witnesses told the media that Nick, who has a history of violence and addiction, was behaving strangely at the party.
Reiner allegedly took his son, who lived on the family property, to the party to “keep an eye on him.” Guests described Nick’s behavior as “anti-social”, saying he stared at attendees, “acted crazy” and “kept asking people if they were famous”.
Nick Reiner was arrested Sunday night and police located him after he checked into a Santa Monica motel. During the search of his room, the authorities allegedly found a gruesome scene: a shower “full of blood”, blood stains on the bed and windows obscured by sheets, reports Index.hr.
Dramatic footage captured the moment of the arrest at a traffic intersection in downtown Los Angeles, about 25 kilometers from the family home. Deputy Chief of Police Alan Hamilton said the arrest was without incident and that Nick did not resist or try to escape.
Witness Kevin Cheatham, 34, told the Daily Mail he saw five unmarked police cars surrounding Nick, who appeared calm. “He didn’t see them coming,” Cheatham said, adding that Nick appeared “relaxed.” According to him, Nick was walking along the sidewalk with a backpack on his back when armed policemen approached him and knocked him to the ground.
Nick lived in a guest house on his parents’ property. A source close to the family told the Daily Mail that his life was like “a door that keeps opening and closing”. “He would use meth and not sleep for days and then have outbursts, smash things, punch walls. He was a ticking time bomb. His drug addiction was getting worse and his parents wanted to kick him out,” the source claimed.
Nick Reiner is currently in custody in downtown Los Angeles. His bail was initially set at $4 million, but it was later revoked.
(Vijesti.ba)
