LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Our Los Angeles) — A federal judge in Los Angeles declared a mistrial Friday in the arson case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused of starting the fire that later became the deadly Palisades Fire, after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty to three federal counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and burning timber on public land.
Judge Anne Hwang told the court the jury was split 10-2 in favor of acquittal before declaring the mistrial. She tentatively set a retrial for Oct. 19 and ordered Rinderknecht held until then.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said his office plans to retry the case. Defense attorney Steve Haney said the split showed the government did not present enough evidence to convict.
Prosecutors allege Rinderknecht used a barbecue lighter to spark a fire on Jan. 1, 2025, that later reignited and became the Palisades Fire. The defense has disputed that theory and said the government did not link a lighter or accelerants to him.
The Palisades Fire erupted Jan. 7, 2025, burned more than 23,000 acres over more than three weeks and destroyed roughly 6,500 to nearly 7,000 structures, according to California fire officials. The fire killed 12 people, according to the court background cited in the case.
