Nick Reiner could face death penalty if convicted of murdering parents

A Los Angeles County grand jury has indicted Nick Reiner on murder charges of his parents Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. The indictment adds the allegation that Nick Reiner was lying in wait before attacking his parents. What's next? Nick Reiner is eligible for the death penalty but prosecutors say they haven't decided whether to seek it. A Los Angeles County grand jury has indicted Nick Reiner on murder charges in the killings of his parents, director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, and added the allegation that he was lying in wait before attacking them. The grand jury, which had been meeting in secret, returned the indictment on July 20. It was unsealed on August 12 when Nick Reiner, 32, entered a not guilty plea. Nick Reiner was arrested hours later and charged two days later. Major step towards trial The grand jury indictment is a major step toward trial and allows prosecutors to skip California's preliminary hearing process, where evidence is publicly aired. "This was a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. "We hope that by having a grand jury return an indictment in this case it will bring us one step closer to a trial and achieving justice." The unsealed indictment reveals few new details in a case that has been shrouded in secrecy. But the lying in wait allegation along with other circumstances mean Nick Reiner is eligible for the death penalty. Prosecutors say they have not decided whether to seek it. The indictment did not say how or why Nick Reiner was lying in wait. It also included an allegation that he used a knife in the killing. Authorities previously said the couple was stabbed. Many of the most basic questions about the killing remain publicly unanswered. Prosecutors have said nothing about possible motives and leaks in the case have been virtually nonexistent on both sides. The Los Angeles County chief medical examiner said he would like to make their autopsy reports public, but a court order has prevented him from doing so. The LA County Public Defender's Office, which is representing Nick Reiner, declined to comment on the indictment.