Nick Reiner's Court Appearance Shocks People – First Images Revealed

The 32-year-old was arrested on December 15 and charged with first-degree murder on December 16. He has now made a court appearance, drawing widespread attention.

Nick smirked at the audience as he walked into the courtroom on February 23, 2026, where photographers captured images of him. The public has reacted strongly to these widely shared photos as he moves through the legal process.

In Court as He Faces First-Degree Murder Charges

In court, Nick pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. His charges also carry a special circumstances allegation, which could make him eligible for the death penalty if prosecutors pursue capital punishment.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman addressed the media after Nick's arraignment, saying, "The case is on track, and we're waiting for the coroner's report."

Defense Shake-up and a Bold Declaration of Innocence

Rob, 78, and his wife, Michele, 70, were discovered stabbed to death inside their Brentwood home on Sunday, December 14. At the time, multiple sources who had spoken to family members said the couple had been killed by their son.

Upon being arrested and charged, Nick was initially represented by powerhouse attorney Alan Jackson, but Alan withdrew from the case at Nick's January 7 hearing, causing a delay.

Alan said the circumstances forcing his withdrawal were beyond Nick's control, but later held a news conference proclaiming, "Nick Reiner is NOT guilty of murder." Kimberly Greene, a deputy public defender with 19 years of experience, later took over the case.

TMZ spotted Kimberly walking into the courtroom on Monday, February 23. When asked how Nick was feeling, she replied, "No comment." During the hearing, Nick appeared in a prison-issued jumpsuit, with his hair lightly shaved.

A Dramatic Transformation Spark Online Frenzy

Online reactions to his appearance were immediate and intense. An individual wrote, "He seems to have aged 2 decades," while another remarked, "He looks completely different." Some simply posted, "Look at him."

One person pointed out, "Crazy eyes 👀," and another netizen added, "He looks crazy." Across social media, these comments captured the shock and fascination of the public as they reacted to Nick's transformed appearance.

Mental Health Questions Cast Shadow over Case

Sources had said Nick was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, and in the month before the murders, his medication reportedly caused his behavior to become unstable.

His mental state has been a key factor in the case. The next court date is a preliminary hearing set for April 29, though additional time may be requested.

Siblings Step Out as Legal Storm Rages On

Meanwhile, Nick's siblings, Romy and Jake Reiner, have been attempting to return to some sense of normal life following the brutal deaths of their parents. On February 19, Romy was seen stopping by a dog groomer and a CVS with her pup by her side.

Dressed casually in a hoodie, brown sweatpants, and boots, she appeared to be in good spirits during the low-key outing near the family's Malibu, California home.

Jake was spotted the following day heading out to coach baseball. The eldest child of Rob and Michele wore sunglasses and a hat and carried a baseball bat as he made his way to coach the Los Angeles-based team.

On the day of Nick's first hearing, Romy stepped out again, this time for a hike with her boyfriend, Alex Siliberg. Wearing an all-black outfit paired with a blue baseball cap, she appeared solemn during the outing.

Then, on February 21, Jake was seen once more — running errands in Los Angeles with his girlfriend, Maria Gilfillan. For that outing, he wore a blue USA hoodie with matching shorts, along with sunglasses and a baseball cap.

Romy and Jake, who have not attended any of Nick's hearings, addressed the situation in a statement to Page Six on January 7, saying, "They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings."

Nick Reiner's initial appearance in the Los Angeles Superior Court took place on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. During the proceedings, he spoke when the judge asked him a question.

Shackled Defendant Appears in Glass-Enclosed Area

Clad in a blue anti-suicide smock and bound at the wrists and ankles with shackles, Nick made a subdued but haunting appearance inside the court. Separated from the courtroom by a sheet of thick glass, he sat and stared straight ahead.

As the courtroom settled into a heavy silence, Nick's former attorney, Alan, dressed sharply in a suit, addressed Judge Theresa McGonigle with a request to delay the arraignment.

"Your Honor, if we could, I would like to ask for a continuance of the arraignment," Alan said, standing between two members of his legal team. "We've coordinated with counsel from the DA's office, and January 7th, with the court's permission, will be a convenient date for us to come back for a potential arraignment." The judge acknowledged his statement, then directed her attention directly to the defendant.

"Mr. Reiner, you have a constitutional and statutory right to a speedy arraignment," she explained. "Your counsel is requesting that your arraignment be continued to January 7, 2026. Do you waive your right to a speedy arraignment so that your arraignment can be heard on January 7, 2026?"

There was a pause. Then came Nick's answer. His voice, low and measured, carried across the courtroom, "Yes, your honor," he was heard responding.

Theresa confirmed the waiver, stating on record that the court found Nick's answer to be "a knowing and intelligent waiver of his right to a speedy arraignment," and that his counsel had joined in the waiver.

The courtroom, under strict restrictions prohibiting photographs, offered only limited glimpses into the proceedings.

But media outlets were quick to note the visual starkness of the scene — Nick's restrained, shackled figure seated behind glass, his clothing indicating high-level custodial monitoring due to mental health or safety concerns, and the presence of multiple legal aides, court officers, and personnel underscoring the gravity of the charges.

Defense Attorney Warns of Media Frenzy

After the hearing, Alan stepped outside to address the media, offering a formal statement on behalf of the defense. "This is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family," he began. "We all recognize that. Our hearts go out to the entire Reiner family."

His tone was composed but firm as he cautioned against the media frenzy and speculation that had been swirling since Nick's arrest.

"There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case," he continued. "These need to be thoroughly, but very carefully, dealt with and examined and looked at and analyzed."

Alan also urged the public to allow the legal system to run its course without interference or assumption. "Not with a rush to judgment. Not with jumping to conclusions," he said. "But with restraint, and with dignity, and with the respect that this system and this process deserves, and that the family deserves."

According to the district attorney's office, Nick had been charged with two counts of murder under case number 25CJCF08098. The charges included a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, which significantly heightened the severity of potential sentencing.

In addition, prosecutors alleged that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon — a knife — during the commission of the crimes. The incident unfolded in the early morning hours of December 14 at the Reiners' Brentwood residence on South Chadbourne Avenue.

Authorities accused Nick of fatally stabbing his father and mother inside their home. Investigators believed he fled the scene shortly after the attacks and arrested him later that evening in Exposition Park, several miles away.

If convicted on all charges, Nick could have faced the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors had not yet announced whether they would seek capital punishment, a decision they said would be made as the case progressed.