A federal judge declared a mistrial on Friday after a jury remained deadlocked in the trial of the man accused of sparking the devastating Palisades Fire, which caused widespread destruction in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles last year. The defendant, Jonathan Rinderknecht, faced federal charges for allegedly starting the blaze, including destruction of property by fire, arson affecting interstate commerce, and timber set afire. These charges carry a potential sentence of up to 45 years in prison, but Rinderknecht has entered a plea of not guilty.
Deliberations began on Wednesday morning, but the jury reported being at an impasse by Thursday afternoon, noting that two jurors held firm, unwavering positions. By Friday, the deadlock persisted with a 10-2 vote for acquittal, leading Judge Anne Hwang to declare a mistrial. Bill Essayli, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, indicated that the government plans to pursue a new trial. He stated that the office remains confident in the evidence regarding Rinderknecht’s role in igniting the initial fire on January 1, 2025, and intends to seek a guilty verdict on all counts.
One juror, who requested to be identified only as Syrena, told reporters that the government’s case had significant gaps. She expressed doubt that the evidence was sufficient to prove Rinderknecht started the original fire. Furthermore, she noted her reluctance to hold one individual responsible for the massive Palisades Fire, even if the initial brush fire had not been fully suppressed by crews. Prosecutors allege that the fire, known as the Lachman Fire, smoldered for nearly a week before erupting into the catastrophic Palisades Fire amid strong winds, ultimately killing 12 people and leveling thousands of structures.
The government presented evidence suggesting Rinderknecht was driven by a desire for “revenge” against society, citing his alleged fixations on wealth inequality, climate change, and the case of Luigi Mangione. Prosecutors claimed Rinderknecht, then an Uber driver, ignited the fire at Skull Rock Trailhead in Topanga State Park after dropping off a passenger. They pointed to his 911 calls and iPhone recordings as evidence of suspicious behavior. In contrast, defense attorney Steve Haney argued there was no direct evidence linking his client to the ignition, asserting that Rinderknecht visited the area to view fireworks, which the defense contends were the true source of the fire.
The Palisades Fire, which began on January 7, 2025, consumed over 23,000 acres and destroyed nearly 7,000 buildings over three weeks. The region also contended with the simultaneous Eaton Fire, which resulted in 19 deaths and destroyed over 9,400 structures, both exacerbated by intense Santa Ana winds and dry conditions.
