Megyn Kelly floats Menendez-style defense idea in Nick Reiner murder case

Megyn Kelly floated a controversial theory about the defense strategy Nick Reiner could pursue as he faces murder charges in the killings of his parents in Brentwood. On her SiriusXM program, The Megyn Kelly Show, she described the notion as an out-of-left-field prediction while reviewing coverage of the case against the 32-year-old son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner. Kelly stressed she was not accusing Rob Reiner of wrongdoing and said she did not personally believe any abuse occurred.

Kelly framed her discussion by referencing the well-known Menendez brothers case, where the defense argued years of abuse by the father. She cited reporting from a Daily Mail article that described on-set tensions between Rob Reiner and Nick, including reports of arguments and a scene in which the two were seen kissing on set. An unnamed actor described a difficult dynamic during production and suggested it was not comfortable for those involved. Kelly noted that such details could influence how a defense team might frame a case that public coverage has labeled complex or ambiguous, though she reiterated that she was analyzing legal strategy rather than making accusations.

The discussion then turned to a hypothetical scenario in which a defense team might invoke a Menendez-style strategy within a California jury context. Kelly questioned whether Nick Reiner might use claims of abuse to frame his mental state at the time of the alleged offenses, framing the possibility as a potential tool for obtaining sympathy from a jury in California, where the case is being adjudicated. She described this as a desperation defense, acknowledging that prosecutors have presented evidence in the case and that the defense would need to contend with a range of competing factors. Kelly also referenced reports about tensions between Rob Reiner and his son, including discussions of how such dynamics could be perceived in court or by jurors.

Nick Reiner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances in the deaths of his parents. Prosecutors allege the killings involved the use of a knife, which could carry a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or, in certain circumstances, the death penalty. Reiner has not entered a plea, and his arraignment has been postponed as the case proceeds through the Los Angeles County court system. Kelly emphasized that she was discussing defense strategy rather than making factual accusations about abuse, and she pointed out that high-profile defense lawyers often pursue aggressive and unconventional approaches in challenging cases.

In noting the defense landscape, Kelly highlighted the work of Nick Reiner’s attorney, Alan Jackson, a veteran criminal-defense lawyer known for taking on high-profile clients. She observed that Jackson and other top defense attorneys are expected to press aggressive arguments on behalf of their clients, even in cases that draw intense public scrutiny. The New York Post, which published coverage of the case, indicated that Jackson’s office had been contacted for comment. Reiner has not commented publicly on the allegations, and no plea has been entered as of the latest proceedings.

Separately, TMZ reported that Nick Reiner checked into a Santa Monica hotel hours after the murders. According to sources cited by TMZ, hotel staff found the shower in his room to be bloodied and bloodstains on the bed and mattress. The report has added to public interest in the ongoing investigation and the unfolding legal process, though it is unclear how these specifics will affect the trajectory of the case at trial.

Nick Reiner’s arraignment remains postponed, and he continues to be held without bail as authorities advance their investigation. As the case develops, observers will watch how defense strategies are shaped by state law, the specifics of the evidence, and the perspectives of jurors in California.