Nick Reiner Appears at His Arraignment After Allegedly Causing the Passings of Rob and Michele Reiner

Nick Reiner recently faced a judge in Los Angeles after being charged in the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, and the courtroom images are commanding intense attention.

Nick Reiner, 32, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday, February 23, 2026, for a hearing that has drawn intense public attention. The brief but highly watched appearance marked a new chapter in a case that continues to ripple through Hollywood.

But it wasn't just what happened in court that had people talking — it was how he looked while it happened.

Nick pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, according to CNN.

He waived his right to a speedy preliminary hearing, bail was denied, and a preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for April 29. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said prosecutors have not yet decided whether they will seek capital punishment, explaining the decision involves reviewing "all aggravating and mitigating circumstances."

Another significant development also came to light.

Who Is Paying for Nick Reiner's Defense Now?

New reporting suggests the answer may signal a significant shift within the Reiner family.

According to TMZ, his siblings, Romy and Jake Reiner, are no longer covering the cost of his legal representation. Sources with direct knowledge told the outlet they have no plans to retain a private criminal defense attorney on his behalf.

Shortly after the deaths, Romy and Jake had hired high-profile attorney Alan Jackson to represent their brother. However, Alan later withdrew from the case due to what was described as an undisclosed disagreement.

A public defender was appointed last month, initially appearing to be a temporary arrangement. But during Monday's hearing, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene appeared in court and entered a not guilty plea on Nick's behalf — suggesting the arrangement may now be long-term.

One source familiar with the situation told TMZ, "Nick's defense is Nick's defense. They're not involved." But beyond the legal maneuvering, it was Nick himself who became the focus of intense scrutiny.

The Look Draws Attention

Inside the courtroom, Nick appeared with a closely shaved head and wore brown prison-issued overalls. Shackles were fastened around his wrists as he sat behind Greene.

In footage from the hearing shared by Extra TV on YouTube, Reiner's expression appeared tense and fixed at times, his eyes wide as he looked toward the front of the courtroom. In other moments, he stared downward, jaw set, shoulders slightly hunched.

It was that stare that viewers immediately noticed. On Instagram, one commenter wrote, "His eyes are telling 👀." Another reacted bluntly, "Crazy eyes."

A third offered a more emotional take, "How sad. This is still someone's baby boy. Unrecognizable. Was so handsome years ago. How sad the toll mental health issues can take on a person. Sad situation all around. If he is of sound mind now imagine the pain he's living."

On the same platform, additional viewers shared similar reactions. "Very sad for all involved 😢," a different viewer wrote, while someone else observed, "The eyes never lie."

Now, a body language specialist is offering insight into the subtle moment that drew attention online.

Expert Offers Interpretation of Nick's Behavior

Body language expert and author Susan Constantine told Page Six that she observed a fleeting moment that stood out to her in the footage.

"There is a really interesting smirk where his head goes down and then he smiles," Constantine said, adding that he appeared to be "trying to conceal his emotions."

She referred to Niclk's expression as "duper's delight." The expert explained:

"'Duper's delight' is when a person gets a sense or rush or enjoyment...You will see that it's almost like a sinister smile and it kind of leaks out at the most inappropriate moments."

According to Susan, the expression suggested what she described as "an unconscious smirk of a sense of enjoyment or elation or excitement." She added that once he appeared to recognize the expression, he quickly "changed his behavior."

Beyond the smile, the expert also pointed to visible tension in his facial muscles, particularly in his forehead and eyes, which she said suggested worry, fear, and heightened intensity.

While that moment drew fresh scrutiny, it was not the first time Nick appeared in court in this case.

As previously reported, Nick made his initial appearance in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. During the proceedings, he spoke when the judge asked him a question.

Shackled Defendant Appears in Glass-Enclosed Area

Clad in a blue anti-suicide smock and bound at the wrists and ankles with shackles, Nick made a subdued but haunting appearance inside the court. Separated from the courtroom by a sheet of thick glass, he sat and stared straight ahead.

As the courtroom settled into a heavy silence, Nick's attorney, Alan, dressed sharply in a suit, addressed Judge Theresa McGonigle with a request to delay the arraignment.

"Your Honor, if we could, I would like to ask for a continuance of the arraignment," Alan said, standing between two members of his legal team. "We've coordinated with counsel from the DA's office, and January 7th, with the court's permission, will be a convenient date for us to come back for a potential arraignment." The judge acknowledged his statement, then directed her attention directly to the defendant.

"Mr. Reiner, you have a constitutional and statutory right to a speedy arraignment," she explained. "Your counsel is requesting that your arraignment be continued to January 7, 2026. Do you waive your right to a speedy arraignment so that your arraignment can be heard on January 7, 2026?"

There was a pause. Then came Nick's answer. His voice, low and measured, carried across the courtroom, "Yes, your honor," he was heard responding.

Theresa confirmed the waiver, stating on record that the court found Nick's answer to be "a knowing and intelligent waiver of his right to a speedy arraignment," and that his counsel had joined in the waiver.

The courtroom, under strict restrictions prohibiting photographs, offered only limited glimpses into the proceedings.

But media outlets were quick to note the visual starkness of the scene — Nick's restrained, shackled figure seated behind glass, his clothing indicating high-level custodial monitoring due to mental health or safety concerns, and the presence of multiple legal aides, court officers, and personnel underscoring the gravity of the charges.

Defense Attorney Warns of Media Frenzy

After the hearing, Alan stepped outside to address the media, offering a formal statement on behalf of the defense. "This is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family," he began. "We all recognize that. Our hearts go out to the entire Reiner family."

His tone was composed but firm as he cautioned against the media frenzy and speculation that had been swirling since Nick's arrest.

"There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case," he continued. "These need to be thoroughly, but very carefully, dealt with and examined and looked at and analyzed."

Alan also urged the public to allow the legal system to run its course without interference or assumption. "Not with a rush to judgment. Not with jumping to conclusions," he said. "But with restraint, and with dignity, and with the respect that this system and this process deserves, and that the family deserves."

According to the district attorney's office, Nick had been charged with two counts of murder under case number 25CJCF08098. The charges included a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, which significantly heightened the severity of potential sentencing.

In addition, prosecutors alleged that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon — a knife — during the commission of the crimes. The incident unfolded in the early morning hours of December 14 at the Reiners' Brentwood residence on South Chadbourne Avenue.

Authorities accused Nick of fatally stabbing his father, Rob Reiner, 78, and his mother, Michele, 70, inside their home. Investigators believed he fled the scene shortly after the attacks and arrested him later that evening in Exposition Park, several miles away.

If convicted on all charges, Nick could have faced the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors had not yet announced whether they would seek capital punishment, a decision they said would be made as the case progressed.