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Legal Experts Say Insanity Plea Would Be Tough for Nick Reiner in Parents' Killings

The 32-year-old remains jailed without bail on two first-degree murder counts ahead of a Jan. 7 arraignment.

Overview

  • Attorneys tell People that juries rarely accept insanity defenses and describe the legal standard in California as difficult to meet.
  • Nick Reiner is held at Twin Towers Correctional Facility without bail, with a police source saying he is on suicide watch in solitary confinement.
  • The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined Rob and Michele Reiner died of multiple sharp-force injuries, and the district attorney has said a knife was used.
  • Charges include special allegations that could bring life without parole or the death penalty if he is convicted.
  • Recent reports describe a 'horrific' crime scene and note prior mental-health and substance-use issues for Nick, though several details come from unnamed sources and are not reflected in court filings.