{"id":224946,"date":"2026-02-25T09:48:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T09:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/25\/why-jerry-oconnell-is-getting-emotional-over-nick-reiner-trial\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T09:48:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T09:48:24","slug":"why-jerry-oconnell-is-getting-emotional-over-nick-reiner-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/25\/why-jerry-oconnell-is-getting-emotional-over-nick-reiner-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Jerry O’Connell Is Getting ‘Emotional’ Over Nick Reiner Trial"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Jerry O\u2019Connell<\/strong><\/a> admitted to getting \u201cemotional\u201d as Nick Reiner<\/strong> faces murder charges<\/a> in connection with the deaths of his parents, movie director Rob Reiner<\/strong> and\u00a0Michele Singer Reiner<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Connell, 52, got his big break in Rob\u2019s 1986 hit movie Stand by Me<\/em><\/a>, costarring Wil Wheaton<\/strong>, Corey Feldman<\/strong> and the late River Phoenix<\/strong>, and previously described<\/a> Rob as being like a \u201cfather to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the Tuesday, February 24, episode of Fox 5\u2019s Good Day New York<\/em><\/a>, the actor and talk show host weighed in on the news that Nick, 32, pleaded not guilty<\/a> to two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances during an arraignment the day before.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose who may not know, I am an actor and I was in Stand by Me<\/em>. It was my first job,\u201d O\u2019Connell explained his connection to the story. \u201cRob Reiner was the director of Stand by M<\/em>e. This is very emotional for me to hear about.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Inside Rob, Michele Reiner’s Final Days Before Son’s Arrest for Their Deaths<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tRob and Michele Singer Reiner made numerous public appearances \u2014 and plans with several celebrity friends \u2014 in the days leading up to their murders. Us Weekly confirmed on Monday, December 15 that Rob, 78, and Michele, 68, died from \u201capparent stab wounds,\u201d according to the Los Angeles police. Their shocking deaths came as a [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Sliders<\/em> actor added, \u201cIt\u2019s going to be very difficult going through this whole trial process. I\u2019m going to be watching it closely in the hopes that it doesn\u2019t become one of these circuses that sometimes happens around these murder trials.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very emotional and chilling. It\u2019s churning up a lot of emotions,\u201d O\u2019Connell said.<\/p>\n

Nick, 32, pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday, February 23, and waived his right to a speedy trial in connection with his parents\u2019 deaths. His next court hearing will be held on April 29.<\/p>\n

Rob, who was 78, and Michele, who was 70, were found dead inside their Brentwood, California, home on December 14, 2025. The couple, who wed in 1989, shared sons Nick and Jake<\/strong>, 36, and daughter Romy<\/strong>, 28. (Rob was also adoptive father to Tracy Reiner<\/strong>, 61, whom he shared with first wife Penny Marshall<\/strong>.)<\/p>\n

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Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman<\/strong> announced formal charges against Nick<\/a> on December 16. Nick was charged with two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders. He also faces a special allegation that he used a knife. Nick could receive life in prison without parole or the death penalty if convicted<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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