Outpouring of Condolences from Hollywood and Political Circles
No Plea Entered Regarding Guilt in Court
As the son, Nick Liner (32), has been identified as the suspect in the murder of film director Rob Reiner and his wife, shocking American society, he made his first appearance at the Los Angeles (LA) court since the incident. On December 18, Yonhap News, citing AP and Reuters, reported that Nick Liner, who has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder, appeared in court that morning. He was seen wearing handcuffs and a suicide-prevention jail gown. In court, he did not enter a plea regarding his guilt. At the request of his attorney, the arraignment procedure was postponed to January 7 of next year.
After the hearing, attorney Alan Jackson, surrounded by reporters, described the case as "a horrific tragedy for the Liner family," but also expressed hope that the legal process for Nick would "proceed without any rush to judgment or conclusion." LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated at a press conference the previous day, "Losing the director and his wife is more than a tragedy, and we will do everything possible to ensure the murderer is brought to justice." However, Hochman added that a decision has not yet been made regarding whether to seek the death penalty for Nick.
If Nick is convicted, he could face life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty. However, since 2006, there have been no executions carried out in California. Nick is accused of stabbing and killing his parents with a sharp weapon at their home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of LA early in the morning on December 14, then fleeing the scene. He was arrested later that afternoon at a park near the University of Southern California (USC), about 22.5 kilometers from the crime scene.
Previously, some media outlets reported that on the night before the incident, December 13, Nick attended a Christmas party at comedian Conan O'Brien's mansion, and that he had a heated argument with his parents due to his aggressive behavior. Nick has struggled with heroin and other drug addictions and has repeatedly entered rehabilitation centers since his teenage years. In 2015, he wrote the screenplay for the film "Being Charlie" based on his experiences and worked on the movie with his father. Director Reiner directed numerous box office hits, including "When Harry Met Sally," "Stand by Me," "Misery," and "A Few Good Men." His colleagues and Hollywood figures paid tribute in statements, saying, "They were dynamic, selfless, and inspiring individuals," and "We will miss them forever."
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