LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Our Los Angeles) — A federal judge in Los Angeles declared a mistrial in the arson case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is charged in connection with the Palisades Fire, after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Judge Anne Hwang told the courtroom the 12-member panel was split 10-2 in favor of acquittal after more than 13 hours of deliberations. The trial ended without a verdict, and Hwang set the case for retrial on Oct. 19.
Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty to three federal charges: destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and a count involving burning timber on public land. Prosecutors allege he used a barbecue lighter on Jan. 1, 2025, to start a fire that later became the Palisades Fire. Defense lawyer Steve Haney has said the government did not prove its case and that investigators found no accelerants or incendiary devices tied to his client.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said the government plans to try the case again. The Palisades Fire erupted Jan. 7, 2025, burned more than 23,000 acres and destroyed about 6,500 structures, according to California fire officials.
