Nick Reiner May Face Death Penalty For Parents' Deaths, DA Says

LOS ANGELES, CA — Prosectors plan to formally charge Nick Reiner on Tuesday with the murder of his parents, director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, for which Reiner could face the death penalty if convicted.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman at a 1 p.m. news conference said that his office plans to formally file charges later on Tuesday against Reiner: two counts of first degree murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders, as well as an additional special allegation that Reiner used a dangerous and deadly weapon in the crimes: a knife.

• Read more: Timeline Of Reiner Slayings: From Conan's Party To The Obamas' Visit And A Son On Suicide Watch

If convicted as charged, Reiner faces a maximum sentence of the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

"No decision has been made at this point with respect to the death penalty," Hochman said.

The Los Angeles Police Department responded to the Reiners' Brentwood home on Sunday afternoon.

"Upon entering the residence, (officers) discovered the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Reiner. Detectives ... immediately initiated a comprehensive investigation. The evidence gathered led to the arrest of their son, Nick Reiner, who was taken into custody later that night without incident," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said.

Reiner was arrested in a "public area in the Exposition Park area near the University of Southern California campus," Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said. USC is about 14 miles away from Brentwood.

McDonnell said "good, solid police work" helped authorities locate Reiner. The U.S. Marshals Service was involved in the arrest, he said.

Reiner was arrested at 9:15 p.m. Sunday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Inmate Information Center. He is being held without bail, Hochman said.

After the DA's office files charges against Reiner, he will be transported to court for his arraignment, where he will enter a plea, Hochman said.

However, Reiner has not yet been "medically cleared," which Hochman described as a routine procedure for those who are being held ahead of their arraignment.

Earlier Tuesday, Reiner's attorney told CNN that his client will not be making a court appearance Tuesday because he has not yet been medically cleared to be transported from jail to the courthouse.

Investigators are not sure whether the Reiners were killed on Saturday night or Sunday, McDonnell said.

“We are waiting on the coroner to be able and to try and determine as best they can time of death,” he said.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

SEE ALSO:

• Rob Reiner, Son Fought At Christmas Party Night Before Deaths: Latest Updates On Investigation
• Trump Blames Rob Reiner's Killing On 'Mind Crippling Disease'
• Remembering Rob Reiner: Politicians, Celebrities React To Director And His Wife's Killings