LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Our Los Angeles) — A federal judge in Los Angeles declared a mistrial in the case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of starting the fire that prosecutors say became the deadly Palisades Fire, after jurors said they were deadlocked.
U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang said the panel was split 10-2 in favor of acquittal after more than 13 hours of deliberations. Rinderknecht had pleaded not guilty in federal court to three counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and a timber-related count.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said the government plans to retry the case. Defense lawyer Steve Haney said the split showed the prosecution had not proved its case.
Prosecutors have alleged that Rinderknecht used a barbecue lighter on Jan. 1, 2025, to spark a fire that later reignited and became the Palisades Fire. The defense has disputed that account and said the government did not show evidence tying a lighter or accelerants to him.
The Palisades Fire broke out on Jan. 7, 2025, burned more than 23,000 acres and destroyed thousands of structures, according to California fire officials cited in court coverage. The case has been one of the most closely watched criminal proceedings tied to the wildfire in federal court.
Hwang set a retrial date for Oct. 19 and ordered Rinderknecht to remain in custody, according to reports from the hearing.
