Nick Reiner Indicted In Parents' Killings With Lying-In-Wait Allegation
A Los Angeles County grand jury indicted 32-year-old Nick Reiner on murder charges in the deaths of his parents, and the indictment was unsealed Wednesday when he pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles County court.[1]
The unsealed filing includes a lying-in-wait allegation and a special allegation that Reiner used a deadly weapon — a knife — prosecutors say.[2] If the lying-in-wait allegation is found true along with a murder conviction, Reiner would be eligible for the death penalty, though prosecutors have not decided whether to seek it.[2]
A grand jury returned the indictment on July 20, 2026, a move that lets prosecutors bypass California's standard preliminary hearing and move the case more directly toward trial.[2] Separately, Reiner has filed a court petition seeking access to unpaid funds from a trust his parents established, saying he needs the money to rehire former defense attorney Alan Jackson and asserting the trust holds at least $1.5 million; a hearing on that petition is scheduled for next week.[2]
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman called the alleged killings a "profound betrayal," saying the grand jury indictment brings the case one step closer to trial.[2]
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📌 Key Facts
- A Los Angeles County grand jury returned an indictment on July 20, 2026 charging 32-year-old Nick Reiner with murdering his parents; the indictment was unsealed on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 when Reiner entered a not guilty plea.
- The lying-in-wait allegation was added to the indictment, and prosecutors say that if it is found true along with a murder conviction Reiner would be eligible for the death penalty, though they have not decided whether to seek it.
- The indictment includes a special allegation that Reiner used a deadly weapon — specifically a knife — which could increase his potential sentence.
- The grand jury indictment allows prosecutors to bypass California's standard preliminary hearing process, moving the case more directly toward trial.
- Reiner has filed a court petition seeking access to unpaid funds from a trust his parents established, saying he needs the money to rehire former defense attorney Alan Jackson after his siblings stopped funding his defense.
- The trust petition asserts the trust holds at least $1.5 million, though trustees have not disclosed the exact amount; a hearing on Reiner's petition is scheduled for next week in Los Angeles County court.
- Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman issued a statement calling the alleged killings a “profound betrayal” and saying the grand jury indictment brings the case one step closer to trial.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- A Los Angeles County grand jury returned an indictment on July 20, 2026 charging Nick Reiner with murdering his parents and adding a lying-in-wait allegation.
- The indictment was unsealed on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when 32-year-old Nick Reiner entered a not guilty plea.
- Prosecutors say the lying-in-wait allegation, if found true along with a murder conviction, would make Reiner eligible for the death penalty, though they have not decided whether to seek it.
- The indictment includes a special allegation that Reiner used a deadly weapon, specifically a knife, which could increase his potential sentence.
- The grand jury indictment allows prosecutors to bypass California's standard preliminary hearing process, moving the case more directly toward trial.
- Separately, Reiner has filed a court petition seeking access to unpaid funds from a trust his parents established for him, saying he needs the money to rehire former defense attorney Alan Jackson after his siblings stopped funding his defense.
- The trust petition asserts that the funds were intended for Reiner even if his parents were still alive and alleges the trust holds at least $1.5 million, though trustees have not disclosed the exact amount.
- A hearing on Reiner's petition to access trust funds is scheduled for next week in Los Angeles County court.
- Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman issued a statement calling the alleged killings a 'profound betrayal' and saying the grand jury indictment brings the case one step closer to trial.