CBS fans admit it's 'so hard to feel compassion for him' as Tony Dokoupil drops big update

Tony Dokoupil was back on CBS Evening News this week, where he brought viewers the latest news and developing updates, but it was one story in particular that got fans talking

It was a tense watch for CBS Evening News viewers on Monday.

The long-running show, fronted by Tony Dokoupil, who landed the job in January 2025, was back on the air after a weekend break, where the 45-year-old updates viewers on the latest.

One segment focused on the trial of Nick Reiner, the son of Rob Reiner, who was murdered over the holidays. Tony kicked off the segment saying, "Nick Reiner, the son of actor and director Rob Reiner, pleaded not guilty to murder today in the stabbing deaths of his parents back in December. Carter Evans has details and new comments tonight from comedian Conan O'Brien, who was among the last to see Reiner and his wife alive.

CBS correspondent, Carter Evans, then kicked off his report, telling viewers, "More than two months after the stabbing deaths of his parents, Nick Reiner said just one word in court today, telling the judge he'll waive his right to a speedy preliminary hearing after the 32-year-old entered a plea of not guilty to murdering his parents.

"Actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner and film producer Michelle Reiner at their Brentwood home in the early morning hours of December 14. Now I was in the courtroom for today's hearing," Carter explained.

"Nick Reiner was wearing a brown jail jumpsuit. He seemed composed when talking with his public defender, quite a contrast from his first appearance in a suicide vest. Reiner, who has a history of mental health issues, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder."

Carter then asked Legal Analyst, Royal Oakes, "What stood out to you today?" to which he replied, "What stood out was what didn't happen. There was no argument that Nick Reiner is incompetent to stand trial the-mirror-icon_entertainment_tv_cbs.

"That doesn't stop them from saying, 'Hey, he was diagnosed as schizophrenic.' He was on medication, and therefore, the night of the murders, he was insane.

"Today, LA's district attorney said prosecutors are not ruling out the death penalty. Many of the most experienced individuals in the DA office with death penalty experience will be helping me evaluate that information," the reporter continued.

"Just hours before their deaths, the writers and their son, Nick, attended a holiday party hosted by Conan O'Brien, the comedian broke his silence in an interview with The New Yorker.

"Saying good night to somebody and having them leave and then find out the next day that they're gone is so awful. It's just so awful," Conan said on the podcast. "Nick Ryder remains in custody without bail. His next court date is scheduled for April 29," Carter concluded his report.

The segment was shared on CBS Evening News' Instagram account along with the caption, "Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner."

Some viewers commented with teary-eyed and crying face emojis, as another user admitted, "It’s so hard to feel compassion for him." A second person added, "What a L!" and someone else fumed, "So he's denying he killed them!!!!"