As Nick Reiner stands trial on charges in the murder of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, his brother and sister, Jake and Romy Reiner, are hopeful he will be spared from the death penalty.
A family friend revealed to the U.S. Sun that the last thing his siblings want is another senseless death attached to their family, noting that “it won’t bring back Rob and Michele.”
“Rob and Michele’s family, despite everything, do not want Nick to get the death penalty, as they insist this horrific incident was the byproduct of a mental health crisis,” the Reiner family friend told the Sun.
Nick Reiner Received Medical Help in the Weeks Leading Up to Tragedy
GettyThe source added, “The last thing the Reiners want is another killing in the face of this unbelievable tragedy, and that the death penalty would only bring more pain,” according to the U.S. Sun.
The family friend noted that both Romy and Jake would support their brother if he chooses to plead not guilty by reason of insanity at his upcoming arraignment on Feb. 23, the outlet reported. It is, however, unknown what Nick’s half-sibling, Tracy Reiner, expects.
In the month leading up to his parents’ murder, the 32-year-old had experienced a decline in his mental health. Two sources with direct knowledge of his well-being told TMZ that medications he took to treat his schizophrenia had begun to make him “erratic and dangerous.”
District Attorney Nathan Hochman Talks About Possible Conviction
GettyOn Jan. 7, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who charged Nick with two counts of first-degree murder, spoke to the press outside of the Los Angeles County Superior Court following Nick’s brief court appearance. Hochman expressed his confidence in the jury’s ultimate judgement of the case.
“We are fully confident that a jury will convict Nick Reiner beyond a reasonable doubt of the brutal murders of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, and do so unanimously,” he shared with reporters.
Even if Nick is convicted and sentenced to the death penalty, it is unlikely that the punishment will be imposed. In 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom implemented an executive order for a moratorium on executions. This means that while the death penalty may be handed down in cases, the execution of criminals is not allowed to be carried out.
The state of California has not executed anyone since 2006 and will not be able to do so as long as Newsom is in office.
