LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Our Los Angeles) — A federal judge in Los Angeles declared a mistrial in the case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused in federal court of starting the fire that later became the deadly Palisades Fire, after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Judge Anne Hwang ended the trial after the jury reported it was split 10-2 in favor of acquittal. Rinderknecht, who pleaded not guilty, had faced three federal counts tied to the blaze, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and burning timber on public land.
Federal prosecutors said they plan to try the case again. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said his office intended to retry the matter before a new jury.
Hwang also set a retrial date of Oct. 19, according to court reporting, and ordered Rinderknecht held in custody until then. Reuters and U.S. News reported the date as tentative and said a mid-July status conference was also scheduled.
Prosecutors allege Rinderknecht used a barbecue lighter on Jan. 1, 2025, to start a fire that later reignited and became the Palisades Fire. Defense lawyer Steve Haney has argued the government did not prove that claim and said jurors’ split showed the case was weak.
The Palisades Fire erupted on 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 cited in the coverage. The fire killed 12 people, according to the reports.
