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The Brief with Jim Sciutto
CNN International: Police Say They Have New Lead in Brown University Shooting; Manhunt Intensifies for Attacker in Brown University; Australian PM Vows Tougher Gun Laws After Mass Shooting; Ukrainian Peace Talks in Berlin; LAPD Accuses Son of Killing Rob and Michele Reiner; Jimmy Lai Found Guilty. Aired 6-7p ET
Aired December 15, 2025 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[18:00:00]
JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR, "THE BRIEF": Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Jim Sciutto in New York, and
you're watching "The Brief."
Just ahead this hour, police say they have a new lead in the Brown University shooting as they release photos and images of a potential
suspect. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls for tighter gun laws after a Hanukkah Day terror attack on the famous Bondi Beach. And Los
Angeles police say the son of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, is responsible for their deaths.
We begin in Providence, Rhode Island tonight, where authorities say they have new leads they're following as the manhunt for the suspect at the
Brown University shooting intensifies. They showed new videos and photos of the alleged shooter, as you'll see in these videos, dressed all in black.
Officials also released this surveillance video showing a suspect similarly dressed in black. They are convinced they are now searching for a lone
gunman.
The FBI says it is offering a $50,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. The mayor of Providence added
there will be a strong, visible presence of police throughout the city with the shooter still at large.
Footage released Sunday also shows a person dressed in the same way. Again, you see him there rounding the corner all in black. You'll remember two
people were killed. They were both students at Brown and nine others injured, eight of them students. Canine teams are scouring the area where
the shooting took place as they ask for footage from residents and businesses like you see them doing here.
Leigh Waldman is in Providence, Rhode Island. And, Leigh, watching these new images, right, from a number of different angles, wearing that same
clothing, was it your sense listening to authorities that those videos and those images are all they have to track this suspect down at this point?
LEIGH WALDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jim, what authorities are saying is this is what they're releasing right now. They didn't say that this is all that
they had. We saw it for ourselves going around the streets around Brown University. The police, FBI, U.S. marshals, they're knocking on doors of
businesses and of homes, asking people for their surveillance videos to share them, to share any pictures that they might have, asking if they've
seen anything suspicious. So, we imagine that they have more than they're actually sharing with us.
But those three video clips and two photos that were shared today at this press conference, that's the first time we've able to see the person of
interest's face. Now, his face was covered with what looked like a medical mask, a black medical mask. But that was the first time we were able to
actually see his face. So, the clips were short, and they were two hours before the shooting on Brown University's campus actually took place on
Saturday.
We know that these are in the area of Brown University on Hope Street. That's according to the chief of police here in Providence. But the FBI is
also putting out these photos describing this person as 5'8", with a stocky build. But the FBI also noting that people should consider this man armed
and dangerous. He was wearing a black hat and dark clothing, again, with that mask covering his face. But it's the first time we're seeing him head
on.
We asked the AG about this, asking, you know, is this going to be the key in this case? And he said this could blow this case wide open. They're
pulling at strings, pulling at threads here, hoping to unravel things. They're examining not only the physical evidence, but also the electronic
evidence that they're working to gather right now. We know that the FBI is working at the scene at Brown University inside of the engineering building
where the shooting actually happened. They said agents from Quantico are there reconstructing that scene.
So, everyone is working together, a collaborative effort, to try and determine who this person is, and try and bring that person to justice.
[18:05:00]
We know there's enhanced presence here in Providence, but we also heard from the Department of Public Safety very, very briefly, and they said that
they have enhanced presence on the state highways across the state here in Rhode Island.
SCIUTTO: So, that gets to my next question, which is, as you noted, the attorney general says the suspect remains armed and dangerous. The police
say there is no immediate threat. And, of course, they don't want people to be cowering in their homes forever in the midst of this. But do you have a
sense of how they are balancing those two things, making people aware, but also saying there's no direct threat to their safety right now?
WALDMAN: That's something that the mayor was asked directly. It seems contradictory almost, saying that this person is armed and dangerous, but
the suspect is armed and dangerous, but people shouldn't feel unsafe. So, it's a contradictory statement. But they said people should feel assured
that there is that enhanced presence of law enforcement here, making sure that the people of this community are protected. But that's not what we're
hearing necessarily from the people who live in this community.
We were walking around the streets today talking to business owners, talking to people who live on the streets where we are seeing this enhanced
presence. And they tell us they're scared. They're not leaving their doors unlocked anymore. They're not going to that vigil because they're worried
about the person who's on the loose.
So, while the message is, don't be scared, people here are very scared. They're anxious. They want this person to be caught because they want to be
able to go back to their normal life.
SCIUTTO: Yes, and they want this person brought to justice. Leigh Waldman in Providence, thanks so much.
Well, to Australia now, the site of another deadly shooting. The prime minister is promising tighter gun control in the wake of Sunday's mass
shooting, which has claimed the lives of at least 15 people. The victims were celebrating the first day of Hanukkah on the famous Bondi Beach in
Sydney. Australia already has some of the world's strictest gun laws. But Anthony Albanese says the government will go even further.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY ALBANESE, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of terror, an act of anti-Semitism. We're better
than the cowards who did this. And I want to conclude finally by saying that the government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary.
Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCIUTTO: This attack was the deadliest in Australia in nearly 30 years. Those gun laws were brought about by a deadly shooting in Tasmania, which
killed 35 people in 1996. Police say the two attackers this weekend were father and son. We should warn you, the following video is disturbing.
Australian media have named the suspects as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. That's them there on that bridge there as
they were firing away into the crowd.
Naved remains in the hospital. He faces criminal charges. His father was killed in an exchange of gunfire with responding police. Attacks such as
this are rare in Australia. At least one witness says at first, he didn't know what was happening.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We thought it was fireworks at the start. And then next second, we see people lying on the floor so a kid gets shot. It was
probably the worst we've ever seen.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know what I saw. I saw him shoot the gun and it just all hell broke loose. There's just people everywhere, kids everywhere,
kids screaming, people screaming. And yes, just everyone everywhere. Yes, it was horrible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCIUTTO: It must have been horrible. Among the dead, well, there she is, a 10-year-old girl named Matilda. Her aunt said she was a sweet, happy child
with, as you can see there, a beautiful smile. She was injured in the shooting, rushed to hospital. Doctors were unable to save her.
Angus Watson is in Sydney for us. And Angus, I wonder what investigators are learning about this plot. It appeared planned. It had a target in mind.
They were able to kill so many people here. What are they learning as they investigate further?
ANGUS WATSON, CNN PRODUCER: Well, Jim, we know that it was a thought-out plot. We know that a car that was used by the alleged perpetrators had
improvised explosive devices within it. So, they had planned out this attack for a while. The father there, in this father and son terror duo, he
had kept his gun licenses for 10 years. He was legally allowed to own six long-arm rifles. Those were the guns that were used in this attack.
[18:10:00]
They did it on a bridge overlooking a playground where the Hanukkah by the Sea event was being held. And as you mentioned there, Matilda, 10 years
old, her life stolen from her because she's Jewish. The oldest person killed in this attack, 87 years old, Alex Kleitman. He'd come from Ukraine
after the Second World War to Australia to live a more peaceful life. He was a Holocaust survivor and yet he died in this horrific terror attack
here at Bondi Beach.
Now, Australia bans semi-automatic weapons. Australia makes people have a gun license if they want to hold any sort of firearm. Were those gun laws
tight enough? The government says it doesn't think so. It wants to put in stricter regulations. It wants to make gun licensees make sure that they
are Australian nationals. And it wants to do regular checks, wants to make them update their gun license because as the government says, people can
become radicalized, people's circumstances change, is what the prime minister said.
Take a look at what Australia did in the past when that horrific mass murder event happened in Tasmania 30 years ago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANGUS (voice-over): The horrific violence against Sydney's Jewish community and crowds at Bondi Beach on Sunday, the worst mass shooting in
Australia since 1996. When 35 people were killed by a lone gunman at Port Arthur in Tasmania. That attack prompted the Centre-right government of the
time to enact some of the world's strictest gun laws. Rates of gun violence plummeted.
JOHN HOWARD, FORMER AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: And the whole country just reeled for days afterwards. And the overwhelming feeling was, this is
terrible. We had to do something about it.
ANGUS (voice-over): A multi-million-dollar buyback scheme was put in place with a short amnesty period before guns were made illegal except under
license with strict conditions. Semi-automatic weapons like the one used at Port Arthur are completely banned. But the guns turned on children,
families and elderly as they celebrated Hanukkah on Sunday were owned legally. A 50-year-old suspect killed at the scene held permits to six
long-barreled guns.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese now says that one response to this tragedy must be to tighten gun laws further.
ALBANESE: The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws.
ANGUS (voice-over): The Australian government has shown it can legislate to curb gun violence. People here in Bondi are demanding an end to
antisemitism along with it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANGUS (on camera): Now, it's obviously extremely hard to legislate for individual cases of terror as this attack on Sunday night was. Behind this
attack was a hateful ideology of antisemitism and it's one that's rattled this community here in Bondi Beach. This is a very visible, very vibrant,
very proud and historic Jewish community here in Bondi and they have rallied around one another to try to get through these feelings of grief,
these feelings of intense hurt which have just permeated since Sunday night.
Now, here is a place where people have gathered to lay flowers, various dignitaries have come and just now the Israeli ambassador to Australia Mr.
Amir Maimon has come here to lay a floral tribute and was presented with a black armband by Rabbi Wolf here who has led some of the memorials.
Now, he's a part of the government of Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel that's been fiercely critical of the Australian government's efforts to stamp out
antisemitism that's existed here. The rate of antisemitic incidents that have occurred in Australia has skyrocketed since October 7, 2023 when Hamas
attacked Israel.
Jewish groups here have logged thousands of incidents which go from verbal abuse to the burning of cars and hateful graffiti to the burning of
synagogues and even attacks on child care centers here, Jim. So, the Jewish community here is in grief but it's also extremely angry and has directed
some of that anger at the government which it says has not done enough to keep it safe from hateful antisemitism. Jim.
SCIUTTO: Well, just an awful attack and our thoughts go to the families of those lost. Angus Watson in Sydney, thanks so much.
Joining me now from Sydney as well journalist Amie Liebowitz who reports on Jewish affairs in Australia had the opportunity to attend that celebration
thankfully did not go. It's good to have you Amy thanks so much for joining.
AMIE LIEBOWITZ, JOURNALIST: Thank you.
[18:15:00]
SCIUTTO: So, first, you've heard the Israeli prime minister's criticism of the Australian government for not doing enough to prevent such attacks. I
wonder do you believe that that criticism is warranted?
LIEBOWITZ: You know what, it's varied, right? The Australian government over the past couple of years has done a lot. We've got out -- and to say
this is really upsetting. This isn't normal. We have an antisemitism task force. We have an envoy to combat antisemitism. We have extra security as
well as a different state and federal legislation has been created against hate crimes.
What my concern is and from what I've seen over the past couple of years is that actually there's only so much a government can do. This is also a
societal issue. It's about education. It's about online hate and where people are being radicalized and it's also facing up against extremism.
This is really important. And I think as a society we need to come together and have a better look at ourselves.
SCIUTTO: Bondi, as Angus Watson a reporter there was making the point just a few moments ago, is home to a vibrant Jewish community. I wonder how much
that community sense of security and comfort has been disrupted by this awful attack.
LIEBOWITZ: You know, speaking to friends over the phone and seeing people in person yesterday some people just burst into tears. People are very
concerned and frightened about their well-being, but they have been for the past two years. You know, this isn't new. And I think if you spoke to any
Jewish person in Australia, they may be shocked but they're not surprised.
We've had warning signs for the past two years especially since the October 7 attacks on Hamas to Israel. On October 8, 2023 a group of people walked
onto the steps of the Sydney Opera House and chanted gas the Jews. A clear warning sign of what was able to come. We had bombings in synagogues, child
care centers. You know a friend of mine his father's restaurant was vandalized and attacked and people were attacked in that restaurant as
well.
And so, people are very people are very sad, but I think people are very angry and we don't exactly know what's next. But in saying that we've had
an amazing response from the Australian community. Yesterday we had a record amount of blood donations given over 50,000 people donated in
Sydney, which is a massive amount and they're continuing today.
SCIUTTO: Yes. Tell me the reaction the community there of this man being called a hero, right, for at great danger to himself tackling one of the
gunmen and disarming him. Tell me your action to -- and here it is the video right there. That was quite a moment of heroism.
LIEBOWITZ: Yes. Ahmed al Ahmed, 43-year-old who owns a shop in Bondi. He's actually a retired (INAUDIBLE). He's retired. He is a cop from Syria and he
became a citizen of Australia a few years ago. And you can hear his response from hospital when he spoke to Premier Chris Minns about how proud
he was to be able to help the Australian community take action.
The Jewish community are very thankful that he stepped in. And he put his body on the line. He's currently recovering and waiting to go into surgery.
There's no word just yet. But our community is thankful and we hope that there's no animosity and people use this as a turning point in history.
Unfortunately, there has been attacks on a Muslim cemetery that was discovered yesterday. There was pig heads found thrown about on a cemetery
in southwest Sydney and people were very upset by this. This is not a time to create divisions. And here we have someone from Syria, an immigrant
who's become a citizen, and we're very proud of him.
SCIUTTO: Yes. Well, sometimes in a moment of great tragedy there are little green shoots of hope. Amie Leibowitz, thanks so much for joining us.
LIEBOWITZ: Thank you.
SCIUTTO: And we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:20:00]
SCIUTTO: Welcome back. In today's Business Breakout, a down day on Wall Street. The Dow finished mostly unchanged. NASDAQ however fell more than
half a percent. Broadcom and Oracle to A.I. stocks that dropped sharply last week extended their losses Monday. The risk off mood hitting crypto
assets too with sizable losses for Bitcoin ether and XRP.
The maker of the popular Roomba vacuums filed for bankruptcy today. iRobot says it is having a tough time competing with similar products made where
in China. It's has cost the company some $23 billion this year. Its products are made in Vietnam and are now subject to more than 40 percent
tariffs. Roomba warned earlier this year its future was in doubt after Amazon's bid to buy the company fell through. iRobot shares fell more than
70 percent on the news today. The firm says it will be taken over by one of its suppliers which is based, where, in China.
Checking some of today's other business headlines Ford has announced a sweeping change to its electric vehicle strategy. The auto giant says it is
discontinuing several EV models including the fully electric F-150 Lightning. Ford says it will focus more on gas and on hybrid cars. The
change is just the latest example of the U.S. auto industry's retreat from EVs due in part to weak demand but also cuts in federal incentives. As part
of the move Ford is taking a nearly $20 billion write down.
This government is set to release a whole slew of economic data this week including job numbers which were long delayed by the shutdown. The U.S.
releases its November jobs report and some October jobs numbers on Tuesday. On Friday the U.S. will release November inflation data. All these reports
were held up due to that shutdown. Troubling economic data coming out of today.
New numbers show the country's factory output slowed to a 15-month low. Retail sales as well have fallen to their worst level since the covid
crisis. It's a big drop. China has so far failed to boost domestic demand for its products. It is now forced to send more of what it makes overseas
contributing to rising tensions with many of its trading partners including the U.S.
Coming up, a deal to secure a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. This proposal for a deal is taking shape after new talks in Berlin. President
Zelenskyy has struck an optimistic tone though he concedes points of contention remain. Struck an optimistic tone though he concedes points of
contention remain.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:25:00]
SCIUTTO: To Ukraine now, a day of contrast. Ukrainian forces attacked and damaged, you see that explosion there, a Russian submarine with advanced
underwater drones in the Black Sea. The first attack of its kind. Yet there is now cautious optimism about the prospect of a ceasefire between both
countries following talks today in Berlin.
The German chancellor said, quote, "For the first time since the war began a ceasefire now seems possible." U.S. officials describe, quote,
"significant progress" as well with one saying negotiators have addressed roughly 90 percent of the issues between Russia and Ukraine. However,
perhaps the most intractable issue territorial concessions remains a point of contention. European leaders have agreed to a commitment to provide a
European led multinational force supported by the United States, the No Boots on the Ground, as part of what it calls robust security guarantees
for Ukraine.
Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, says quote, "a lot of progress has been made but there's still work to be done on the issue of those
guarantees."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: Now, we've heard from the U.S. side that, yes, that there are security guarantees which are equal to the
Article 5 guarantee in the NATO charter. So, it doesn't look too bad but it's only a first step. And then, there is the issue of monitoring of the
ceasefire. That is really the basis for security guarantees because the question is, who will carry out the monitoring? What sanctions will be
applied if those monitoring missions are disrupted?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCIUTTO: Today President Trump said an end of the war, in his view, is closer than ever, though he acknowledges well the hurdles remain. Joining
me now Ben Hodges former commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe. Good to have you back, sir.
LT. GEN. BEN HODGES (RET.), FORMER COMMANDER OF U.S. ARMY FORCES IN EUROPE: Thank you Jim.
[18:30:00]
SCIUTTO: So, let's go through the big issues here, if we can. I mean, starting with security guarantees, if you kind of shorthand the elements,
European forces, no U.S. boots on the ground, but U.S. participation in that force sounds like support in some way, and that the security guarantee
from the U.S. would be ratified by Congress, which gives it a lifetime beyond President Trump. I wonder, do you see the elements there of a
sufficient security guarantee for Ukraine?
HODGES: Well, certainly, having Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, who's a pretty dour guy, give it a sort of a positive boost is encouraging.
But I have to say that I'm just really skeptical about this, Jim. I mean, there's nothing specific about what American support would really be. Who
will decide whether or not a Russian drone flying over or into or hitting something, would that elicit a response? And certainly, you know that the
Russians have never lived up to any agreement unless they were compelled to do so. So, I think President Zelenskyy is right to be very, very cautious.
SCIUTTO: And it's a good point now because Russia's using some of those gray zone tactics, hybrid tactics on Europe, NATO as well right now. You
know, forget about Ukraine as the war rages on. How about on this other issue? Zelenskyy in this proposal has said, OK, no NATO membership, but it
will give E.U. membership as soon as 2027. Is that acceptable?
Because throughout, I've been told by European leaders, we don't want to take NATO, the possibility of NATO membership off the table because that
would be Russia dictating the terms and it should be the choice of member nations.
HODGES: Well, certainly only the E.U. should say or can say who can join the European Union. Russia has no voice, has no right to determine whether
or not somebody else could join the European Union, same as with our alliance. So, I hope that Ukraine is permitted to join the European Union,
not only because of the economic benefit for every one of its members, but also there is a security guarantee as part of the European Union as well.
So, that could have some plus sides to it.
SCIUTTO: How about Russia in all this? Because, you know, the $60 billion question has been throughout, you know, how interested Russia is in genuine
peace talks, the possibility of a ceasefire? And the positive case I've heard recently is that Russia really is reeling economically, that the
sanctions are biting, that it can't maintain these awful human losses on the front lines because it would just have to mobilize more, which it seems
even Putin might fear he doesn't have the political support for. But do you see Russia as genuinely interested in talking at this point?
HODGES: You know, this is a great question. I think Vladimir Putin has zero interest in actually agreeing to some sort of just, sustainable,
peaceful end to this war. He has never once changed his objectives, which include the destruction of Ukraine and destruction of the idea of Ukraine
as a state. So, he's not interested in that. And I think he knows that for him to stay in power, this has to keep going.
Yet, the Ukrainians have developed a theory of victory, which involves doing exactly what you just highlighted. By going after Russia's oil and
gas infrastructure, it becomes very difficult for Russia to get the resources -- the financial resources it needs to continue the war. If only
President Trump would enforce the sanctions that he has talked about, the secondary sanctions, for example, on India and China, this could have a
real impact. But actually, India has increased the amount of oil it's getting in October and November.
So, the President, he could earn that peace prize if he would use the leverage that he actually has against Russia. But Russia has not been asked
to concede anything. So, this does not seem to me to be a path towards a just, sustainable peace.
SCIUTTO: You mentioned Trump. And some of this appears to be Trump management, right? Because you have Zelenskyy. They presented a 28-point
peace plan initially, which was widely panned by Ukrainians and Europeans as being quite pro-Russian, that plan. Now, they've negotiated amongst
themselves and come back and seem to have gotten U.S. leaders on board with something that is closer to European and Ukrainian priorities. Question is,
will Trump be happy with that, ultimately?
[18:35:00]
HODGES: Well, that really is the question. I mean, 85 senators have said they're ready to deliver a huge sanctions package against Russia. I mean,
that's been out there for months and the president has chosen not to use that thus far. The Chinese are watching, and right now they see that the
United States is pretty flexible on sovereignty issues, so that's bad news for Taiwan and the Philippines.
And so, I think many of us are not sure exactly where the president is. I don't doubt that he wants to see an end to the killing, but in my view,
he's putting pressure on the wrong guy. I mean, if you put pressure on Vladimir Putin, this could be over before the end of the week.
SCIUTTO: Ben Hodges, always good to have you on. Thanks so much.
HODGES: Thanks, Jim.
SCIUTTO: Still to come on "The Brief," remembering Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his wife Michele. We're going to bring you the latest on their
just tragic, awful killing in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SCIUTTO: Now, to Los Angeles and another just heartbreaking story. Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, a photographer, were
found murdered in their own home. The suspect, their own son, Nick Reiner. L.A. police are now holding him on a $4 million bail.
Rob himself was the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner. He started off as an actor before moving behind the character, directing just some of the
best films of all time, "The Princess Bride," "A Few Good Men," "When Harry Met Sally." The list goes on and on.
A who's who of Hollywood grieved the couple with tributes pouring in from Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Kevin Bacon, Kathy Bates, Jamie Lee
Curtis, Cary Elwes and more.
Joining me now from Los Angeles outside the home is Nick Watt. And, Nick, listen, I mean, just the worst circumstances imaginable. Are we learning
more about what led up to this this awful crime?
NICK WATT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We are, Jim. But first of all, I'm just I'm glad you ran through some of the movies and who Rob Reiner and Michele
Reiner were, because, you know, so often a kind of grim death can overshadow. What were great lives full of achievement. So, I'm glad we
started with that.
[18:4:00]
Yes. You know, we're learning that apparently Nick Reiner was seen arguing with his dad, Rob, at a party Saturday night at Conan O'Brien's house. And
we've also heard that Romy Reiner, daughter of Rob and Michele, she is the person who found her parents here at their home in Brentwood.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WATT (voice-over): Rob and Michele Reiner met on the set of "When Harry Met Sally." They were married more than 35 years. They died together
Sunday. Around 3:40 p.m. the LAPD and Fire Department responded to a medical emergency at the Reiner home in upscale Brentwood. They found an
elderly man and woman dead.
Homicide detectives soon on the scene. 9:15 p.m. A suspect arrested the couple's son, Nick Reiner, aged 32.
CHIEF JIM MCDONNELL, LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT: He was subsequently booked for murder and is being held on $4 million bail.
WATT (voice-over): The D.A. is yet to file charges. Nick Reiner, seen here with his parents at the "Spinal Tap 2" premiere in September, has been open
about his struggles with heroin addiction and homelessness. He co-wrote a movie, "Being Charlie," based on those experiences his dad directed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let me see those. My mother's ox.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATT (voice-over): They talked about it on AOL back in 2016.
ROB REINER, DIRECTOR: It is loosely based on, you know, things that Nick went through and his relationship to me and his mother. And you can talk a
little bit more about it, Nick, if you want.
NICK REINER: I wasn't really that shy about including some of the bad stuff I did because a lot of people do things that are pretty unsavory.
R. REINER: I like to take care of one foot at a time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATT (voice-over): Rob Reiner's big break was as a TV actor playing Meathead on "All in the Family" back in the '70s. Later, as a movie
director, he was prolific and versatile. "Princess Bride," "A Few Good Men," "Stand By Me," "Spinal Tap," "Misery," "When Harry Met Sally."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRENT LANG, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, VARIETY: It's a seismic shock because Rob Reiner is such an outsized presence in the entertainment community. I mean,
he's almost the mayor of Hollywood. He's such an affable, genial person.
WATT (voice-over): Tributes lay today at his Walk of Fame star for this actor, writer, director, producer, political activist and much-loved
avuncular industry figure.
Harry Shearer, one of the stars of "Spinal Tap," said this is unspeakable. The stuff of Greek tragedy.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WATT (on camera): Now, the LAPD is not saying officially how the Reiners died, but they are saying this. They are saying that Nick Reiner, quote,
"was responsible for their deaths." Now, the case is expected to go to the D.A. tomorrow. We, of course, will be following all of the details, all of
the grim details, Jim, that come out. Back to you.
SCIUTTO: You know, and it was important there to just go through that list as you did in your story, Nick, because as you tick off, I mean, I could --
I have memories attached to each of those movies. They were all great. I mean, going back -- and I'm older than many people watching, but going back
to "All in the Family." Anyway, a true legend. Thanks for bringing us the details.
WATT: Yes.
SCIUTTO: Well, one person who did not respectfully grieve the Reiner's deaths, President Donald Trump. The president posted a screed criticizing
Reiner on his platform, Truth Social. Trump later had this to say in the Oval Office.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Well, I wasn't a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned. I think he hurt himself in
career wise. He became like a deranged person. Trump derangement syndrome. So, I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all in any way, shape or form. I
thought he was very bad for our country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCIUTTO: Those are the words of the president on the day that he was murdered. Rob Reiner, Trump's comments criticized by some politicians.
Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X, this is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.
Reiner was a passionate supporter of progressive causes, particularly for children. He advocated for universal preschool and was critical in
overturning California's ban on same sex marriage.
Joining me now, Republican strategist Shermichael Singleton. You know, Shermichael, you and I, we've known each other for a while. I mean, the
most basic question is why. Why would President Trump feel compelled to say something like this? And twice, right? Because he had an opportunity, you
could say, to have said something nicer in the Oval Office and he didn't. What's the point of all this?
SHERMICHAEL SINGLETON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR AND REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: You know, sometimes I think in the political sense, Jim, people probably
would just prefer the president not to say much of anything. And this was probably one of those instances where it would have just been best to just
not say anything at all.
And I know there would have been some criticism why isn't the president saying something after this tragic murder? But I think considering what
we're talking about right now, that probably would have been a preferred answer of nothing, right, nothingness from the president versus this.
[18:45:00]
But, you know, look, I've been thinking about this all day and I've had my disagreements with Mr. Reiner. I'm very familiar with him. When I used to
work at MSNBC, I was on with him a couple of different times debating politics, and always found him to be a very respectable guy, even when we
disagreed. And he would always say, sometimes you're on the wrong side of this issue, Shermichael, but you're young. You'll learn as you get older
kind of thing. And I would laugh and say, Mr. Reiner, that's not going to happen.
That said, though, I can't imagine the tragedy in that moment from him to his wife of realizing what was likely about to happen to them from their
own son.
SCIUTTO: Yes.
SINGLETON: And so, you think about that moment alone, you think about the fact that it was another child that had to walk in and realize what had
happened to her parents and probably immediately came to the conclusion that it was her own brother.
SCIUTTO: I mean, given --
SINGLETON: And so, from a humanistic perspective --
SCIUTTO: Sure.
SINGLETON: -- that to me is enough to just say, politics aside, we give our condolences to the Reiner family. I may not have agreed with Mr. Reiner
on certain issues, but there is a point in time where politics -- you have to absolve oneself of that, Jim, because the humanity in all of us should
rise above. And I think that's why some people are sort of disappointed in the president in this moment.
SCIUTTO: Given the enormous sensitivities, as you remember, to any personal or political criticism of Charlie Kirk following his death. I
mean, listen, you had folks on the right lobbying to fire Jimmy Kimmel, right? Didn't come close to the kinds of comments came out of the
president's mouth. Why the double standard, right? I mean, if -- and one can reasonably say divisive words, harsh criticism can inspire some people
to do bad things, why not be against it in all circumstances?
SINGLETON: Well, I remember when Rob Reiner was on -- I don't know if it was MSNBC or what news program he was on, but he was asked about Charlie
Kirk. And one of Charlie Kirk's very closest friends who's worked with for him, with him at TPUSA for a very long time, actually posted that video
today. And his words were, violence is never the answer. He gave his condolences to Charlie's family, to his friends. And he said, I may
disagree, but this is not the way we resolve those disagreements.
And so, in this moment, I can't help but model myself after Mr. Reiner and say this is a tragedy, man. I can't help but think about that family. This
is a guy who had an amazing life, a great artistic mind. I mean, if you get mad, I'm 35 now. But I remember watching that with my grandfather, man,
growing up. It was a great movie. It was sort of one of those must watch movies as a young boy, along with "The Godfather" and other films.
SCIUTTO: Sure.
SINGLETON: And so, again, I can separate and compartmentalize my disagreements and say this was a guy who delivered a lot to our society and
we can have our disagreements. And then I can say, Mr. Reiner, I think you're so wrong on all of this stuff, but you're still a brilliant,
artistic mind. And I think we need to get back to that place.
And so, I wish the president would have taken a different turn on this. He did not. But I know speaking for myself, I feel so sad for this family
right now. And I feel so sad for many of his friends because I just can't imagine what they're feeling in this moment. And I just don't want to mix
in politics because I know what those folks are going through is something that most people can just never imagine.
SCIUTTO: Yes. No question. Well, I appreciate those words from you, Shermichael. Thanks so much for sharing them.
SINGLETON: Thank you, Jim.
SCIUTTO: Still to come on "The Brief," Hong Kong's self-made billionaire, Jimmy Lai, found guilty in a landmark trial. We're going to explain what
kind of sentencing he faces coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:50:00]
SCIUTTO: Welcome back to "The Brief." I'm Jim Sciutto. And here are the international headlines we're watching today. Australia is vowing to
strengthen already tough gun laws in the country after the deadliest massacre there in decades. Authorities say 15 people were killed when two
gunmen, a father and son, opened fire as crowds celebrated Hanukkah on Sydney's Bondi Beach. Police killed one attacker at the scene, the other
critically wounded and detained.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, quote, "now seems possible." U.S. President Donald Trump is
striking a cautiously optimistic tone as well. After speaking with Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump says the end of the war is
closer now than ever, though he acknowledged, as others have, that hurdles remain.
A Massachusetts jury convicted Brian Walshe of first-degree murder Monday in the killing of his wife almost three years ago. The jury deliberated for
around six hours before returning its verdict. Walshe pleaded guilty to lesser charges of misleading police and improperly disposing of his wife's
body, but he did not admit to murdering her. Her body was never found. He's expected to be sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison without parole.
Former media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been found guilty in a national security trial in Hong Kong, viewed as an example of the city's shrinking freedoms
and shrinking rule of law under Beijing's rule. Lai is one of the biggest critics of Beijing, was charged under a sweeping national security law
imposed on Hong Kong in 2020.
Kristie Lu Stout has been covering the case. She brings us more, including on the sentence he might face.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After 156 days of verdict for Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, guilty of sedition and two
counts of colluding with foreign forces, Lai is the most high-profile critic of Beijing, charged under the national security law that was imposed
on Hong Kong in 2020. The trial has been widely viewed as a measure of the city's shrinking freedoms under Chinese rule. Lai had pleaded not guilty to
the charges.
LU STOUT: CNN was in court for the ruling and Jimmy Lai appeared calm, wearing glasses, a blazer and a light green sweater. At one point he raised
his hand and smiled at his wife and one of his sons, who was sitting behind me in the gallery alongside Cardinal Joseph Zen, another outspoken critic
of the Chinese Communist Party. When the verdict was read aloud, Jimmy Lai, wearing headphones, looked straight ahead and there was complete silence in
the court.
LU STOUT (voice-over): Lai founded the now defunct Apple Daily, once Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy newspaper, which regularly challenged the
government. He was a fixture at anti-government protests that brought Hong Kong to a standstill in 2014 and was considered by many as a father figure
to Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement.
JIMMY LAI, FORMER HONG KONG MEDIA TYCOON: I think it's a good idea anytime, any situation that you are in to fight for your freedom, because
without freedom you have nothing left.
LU STOUT (voice-over): Scores of people, many supporters of Lai, stood in line for a chance to witness the verdict, some even sleeping overnight
outside the court building to secure a spot. Security was tight, with police officers and vehicles out in force.
The trial has attracted global scrutiny, with the U.S. and other countries demanding Jimmy Lai's release. Weeks before he was arrested, Lai appealed
to U.S. President Donald Trump for help. An administration official told CNN that Trump raised Lai's case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during
their talks in South Korea earlier this year.
Chinese authorities have warned repeatedly against foreign interference. Hong Kong's government insists that Lai has been given a fair trial, and
Beijing is backing that.
GUO JIAKUN, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON (through translator): The central government firmly supports the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region in lawfully upholding national security and punishing criminal acts that endanger national security.
[18:55:00]
LU STOUT (voice-over): Jimmy Lai has been in prison for the last five years. His family, concerned that incarceration is taking its toll. The
Hong Kong government says Lai has been getting regular medical check-ups and is receiving, quote, "suitable treatment and care." Lai left court in a
prison van. He now awaits sentencing. Collusion with foreign forces is punishable by up to life in prison. At 78 years old, life for Jimmy Lai
would most likely mean life.
Christy Lou Stout, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCIUTTO: A case we continue to follow closely. Thanks so much for joining us today. I'm Jim Sciutto in New York today. You've been watching "The
Brief." Please do stay with CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:00:00]
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