LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Our Los Angeles) — A federal judge in Los Angeles declared a mistrial in the case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is charged in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California with starting the fire prosecutors say became the Palisades Fire.
Jurors told Judge Anne Hwang they could not reach a unanimous verdict. Court notes read in open court showed the panel was split 10-2 in favor of acquittal when Hwang ended deliberations. She set a retrial date for Oct. 19 and ordered Rinderknecht held until then.
Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty to three federal counts: destruction of property by fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and a count involving timber set afire on public land. Prosecutors allege he used a barbecue lighter on Jan. 1, 2025, to spark a fire that later reignited and became the Palisades Fire.
The fire erupted Jan. 7, burned more than 23,000 acres over more than three weeks and destroyed roughly 6,500 structures, according to California fire officials.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said his office plans to retry the case. Defense attorney Steve Haney said the jury split showed the government’s case was not strong and argued investigators lacked evidence tying a lighter or accelerants to his client.
