Nick Reiner's murder case is set to challenge the public's expectations of courtroom drama, legal observers say.

The 32-year-old is accused of killing his parents, Rob Reiner and author Michele Singer Reiner, in their Brentwood home on Dec. 14.

According to The U.S. Sun, prosecutors are still weighing whether to pursue the death penalty, and the defense has signaled that his mental health may become central to the trial strategy.

Insanity Defense Carries High Legal Burden

While the possibility of an insanity defense has drawn attention, criminal defense attorneys caution that such arguments are rarely successful — despite how often they appear to resolve fictional murder cases.

Eric Faddis, a Colorado-based defense attorney not connected to the case, said the standard is far more demanding than most people realize. To succeed, the defense would need to establish that Reiner suffered from a qualifying mental illness that prevented him from understanding the nature of his actions or distinguishing right from wrong at the time of the killings.

"It's not like in the movies where people get off on insanity regularly," Faddis said. "Prevailing on a not guilty by reason of insanity defense is uncommon."

Reiner had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia, according to TMZ, and was reportedly under psychiatric care before the killings. Sources cited by the outlet said his behavior became "alarming" after a medication change in the weeks leading up to the deaths. Faddis said such evidence could support an insanity defense but stressed that support does not equate to a legal win.

"It doesn't mean he'll win," he said, adding that compiling evidence is only one step in a long and uncertain process.

Reiner has also spoken publicly about past struggles with addiction. In a 2016 interview with People, he said he entered rehab dozens of times beginning in his teenage years.

Death Penalty Decision Would Be Unusual For LA County

In addition to evaluating mental health defenses, the prosecution must decide whether to pursue the death penalty.

Los Angeles County DA Nathan Hochman has yet to announce his office's plans, though the charges carry that option. Observers say capital punishment cases are uncommon in L.A., which has historically favored more conservative approaches.

"It's hard to say," Faddis said. "Historically, Los Angeles has not been the most death penalty-friendly county."

Still, he noted that Hochman has shown a willingness to make decisions that run against public sentiment. Faddis pointed to Hochman's handling of the Menendez brothers' case, where calls for leniency surged following a Netflix dramatization — pressure the district attorney ultimately resisted.

If Hochman were to pursue the death penalty against Reiner, Faddis said, it would be "historically uncommon," though not entirely surprising based on Hochman's past actions.