Rob Reiner’s son Nick made his first court appearance on Wednesday on two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents.

Wearing a suicide prevention smock and shackles, the 32-year-old did not enter a plea as he appeared from behind the glass wall of a custody area.

His next court appearance will be on 7 January.

As it happened: Nick Reiner makes first court appearance

Nick Reiner spoke only to say, “yes, your honour” to agree to the date.

He was charged Tuesday with killing the 78-year-old actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced at a news conference.

Nick Reiner is being held without bail and could face the death penalty.

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Reiner’s lawyer tells public don’t ‘rush to judgement’

Along with the two counts of first-degree murder, prosecutors added a special circumstance of multiple murders, as well as an allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife.

Speaking outside the court, Nick Reiner’s lawyer, Alan Jackson, called on the public not to “rush to judgement”.

Mr Jackson pointed to “complex and serious issues that are associated with this case” that needed to be thoroughly and “very carefully dealt with and examined”.

He added that it was a “devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family”.

‘Unimaginable pain’

Nick Reiner’s two siblings Jake and Romy have released a statement, saying “words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day”.

“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. 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 two asked for “respect and privacy” and for speculation to be treated with “compassion and humanity”.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the killings.

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead from apparent stab wounds in their home in the upscale Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

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Nick Reiner did not resist when he was arrested hours later near the University of Southern California, about 14 miles (22.5 kilometres) from the crime scene, according to police.

Rob Reiner was a celebrated director, whose work included some of the most memorable films of the 1980s and 1990s, including This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men.

He met Michele Singer, a photographer, movie producer and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, in 1989, while directing When Harry Met Sally.

Warner Bros is reportedly set to reject a hostile $108bn (£81bn) takeover bid from Paramount, with one of the prospective buyer’s financing partners confirming it’s pulled out of the offer.

A spokesman for investment firm Affinity, owned by Donald Trump‘s son-in-law Jared Kushner, told Sky News’ US partner network NBC News “the dynamics of investment have changed significantly”.

It had backed Paramount’s bid, along with funds from Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.

Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal report the Warner Bros Discovery board are set to advise shareholders to reject Paramount‘s bid – paving the way for Netflix, which had struck a $72bn (£54bn) deal.

If the takeover goes through, it would give the streaming giant the rights to hit Warner franchises like Harry Potter, Batman, and Game Of Thrones, as well an extensive back catalogue of classic films.

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It is the latest twist in a takeover saga where the winner will acquire a huge advantage in the streaming wars.

In June, Warner announced its plan to split into two companies – one for its TV, film studios and HBO Max streaming services, and one for the Discovery element of the business, which primarily comprises legacy TV channels that show cartoons, news, and sports.

Netflix agreed a $27.75 per-share price with the firm, which equates to the $72bn purchase figure deal to secure its film and TV studios, with the deal giving the assets a total value of $82.7bn.

However, Paramount said its offer would pay $30 (£22.50) cash per share, representing $18bn (£13.5bn) more in cash than its rival offered. The offer was made directly to shareholders, asking them to reject Netflix’s deal, in what is known as a hostile takeover.

The Paramount deal would involve rival US news channels CBS and CNN being brought under the same parent company.

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The US government will have a big say on the final deal, with the winning company likely facing the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division, a federal agency which scrutinises business deals to ensure fair competition.

Rob Reiner’s son Nick could face the death penalty if he is found guilty of murdering his parents, Los Angeles prosecutors have said.

Nick Reiner will be charged with two counts of first degree murder over the killings, district attorney Nathan Hochman said.

The 32-year-old is suspected in the deaths of the 78-year-old director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.

“Rob Reiner was a brilliant actor and director, an iconic force in our entertainment industry for decades. His wife, Michel Singer Reine, was an equally iconic photographer and producer,” said Mr Hochman.

“Their loss is beyond tragic. We will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice.”

Prosecutors said they would file the charges – two counts of first degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders, later on Tuesday.

They will also include a special allegation he used a dangerous weapon, a knife.

Mr Hochman said the charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, adding “no decision” has been made with respect to the death penalty.

“This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones but for our entire city,” LA Police chief Jim McDonnell said.

“We will continue to support the Reiner family and ensure that every step forward is taken with care, dignity and resolve.”

Their tributes were a stark contrast to Donald Trump’s response to the news, which prompted the US president to attack Mr Reiner as “tortured and struggling, but once very talented”.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said Mr Reiner and his wife died “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME”.

Read more: Rob Reiner spoke to Eric Idle about future before he was killed

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It comes after it emerged Mr Reiner’s son was reportedly disruptive at a party hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien the night before the killings.

Nick Reiner joined his father and mother at the event on Saturday – and the couple were upset and embarrassed about his behaviour, Sky News’ US partner NBC News cited a source as saying.

They also expressed concerns about his health.

The outlet cited another source saying Nick Reiner’s behaviour had made other guests uncomfortable.

They said he interrupted a conversation filmmaker Bill Hader was having with two guests and – when informed it was a private conversation – stood still and stared before storming off.

The couple were found dead from apparent stab wounds at their home in the Brentwood neighbourhood on the west side of Los Angeles.

Nick Reiner did not resist when he was arrested hours later in the Exposition Park area, near the University of Southern California, around four miles from the crime scene, police said.

He had been expected to make an initial court appearance earlier on Tuesday, but his attorney said he was not brought from jail to the courthouse for medical reasons, and the appearance would not happen before Wednesday.

Nick Reiner has not yet entered a plea.

Rob Reiner was a celebrated director, whose work included some of the most memorable films of the 1980s and 1990s, including This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men.

He met Michele Singer in 1989, while directing When Harry Met Sally, and they had three children together.

Michele used to work as a photographer and took the photo of Donald Trump that appears on the cover of his book Trump: The Art Of The Deal.