Nick Reiner pleads not guilty in the killing of parents Rob and Michele

The son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner has pleaded not guilty to murdering his parents.

Nick Reiner, 32, appeared in a Los Angeles court charged in the deaths of his parents, who were found with multiple stab wounds in their home in the city's affluent Brentwood area in December.

He wore a brown jail jumpsuit during the arraignment. He could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty if convicted.

Prosecutors allege that Reiner fatally stabbed his father and mother, Michele, inside a bedroom of their home before fleeing. Reiner, who is being held in custody, will next appear in court on 29 April.

Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were found dead in their home by their daughter on 14 December.

The couple died from "multiple sharp force injuries", according to the LA County medical examiner.

Nick Reiner was arrested in Los Angeles the same day. US outlets reported that he and his father had attended a party the previous evening, and engaged in an argument of some kind. Reports vary as to the severity of the alleged row.

He faces two counts of first-degree murder, with a special circumstance alleging multiple murders.

Rob Reiner directed films including This Is Spinal Tap, the Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally and Stand By Me.

Michele Singer Reiner was an actress, photographer and producer, and the founder of Reiner Light, a photography agency and production company.

The couple's children, Jake and Romy, said in a statement after their deaths that they were experiencing "unimaginable pain" following the "horrific and devastating loss".

Nick Reiner's arraignment, which was originally set for January, had been postponed after lawyer Alan Jackson withdrew from the case for reasons he said were beyond his and his clients control.

His new lawyer, Kimberly Greene, entered the not guilty plea on his behalf on Monday.

Reiner is receiving publicly funded legal representation that is allotted to defendants who cannot pay their own fees.

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