Nick Reiner's lawyer speaks out on Rob Reiner's 'devastating' murder
LOS ANGELES − Nick Reiner's attorney is speaking out after his client was charged with murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
Alan Jackson, the defense attorney for 32-year-old Nick Reiner, spoke briefly to reporters outside a Los Angeles courthouse on Wednesday after Reiner made his first appearance in court.
"First of all, and most importantly, this is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family," Jackson said. "We all recognize that. Our hearts go out to the entire Reiner family. There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case."
The attorney went on to add, "We ask that during this process, you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward, not with a rush to judgment, not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity and with the respect that this system and this process deserves and that the family deserves."
When is Nick Reiner's arraignment?
Jackson also confirmed the next court date in the case will be Reiner's arraignment, scheduled for Jan. 7.
On Tuesday, Reiner was charged with fatally stabbing his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, who were found dead in their California home on Sunday, Dec. 14.
He faces two counts of "murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders," as well as a "special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife," prosecutors said.
"Rob Reiner was one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement Tuesday. "His murder and his wife of more than 35 years, Michele Singer Reiner's murder, are shocking and tragic. We owe it to their memory to pursue justice and accountability for the lives that were taken."
Rob Reiner's family speaks out
On Wednesday, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner's children Jake and Romy said "words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day" in a new statement shared with TMZ and People magazine.
"The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience," they said.
"They weren't just our parents; they were our best friends," the statement continued. "We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life."
The family also asked for "respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave."