Steve Futterman

It's not entirely clear if he will enter a plea.

Reiner, who has long battled mental health and addiction challenges, could potentially mount a diminished capacity defense.

Lori Levinson is a former federal prosecutor.

The murder charges carry a maximum sentence of death.

The district attorney says he has not decided if he will seek that.

For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

A mental health defense is very, very possible.

Nick Reiner, as we've learned, has been very open in discussing his struggles.

And we know in recent weeks, his family had grown quite concerned about his behavior.

And just hours before the killings, Reiner had a heated argument with his father, Rob, as they attended a Christmas party.

So his mental state and capacity at the time of the killings could very likely play a key role in his defense.

The first degree murder charges include a special circumstance enhancement because more than one person was killed.

L.A.

County District Attorney Nathan Hockman says that impacts possible penalties.

Hockman said no decision has yet been made on whether to seek the death penalty.

Nick Reiner remains in a downtown L.A.

jail.

At the moment, this is a no-bail case.

He could make his first court appearance as early as Wednesday.

The district attorney said he is aware of Reiner's history of struggles with addiction and mental health.