LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Our Los Angeles) — A federal judge in Los Angeles declared a mistrial Friday in the case of Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is charged with starting the fire that later became the Palisades Fire, after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty to three federal counts: destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and burning timber on public land.
U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang declared the mistrial after the jury said it remained split 10-2 in favor of acquittal, according to the notes read in court.
Hwang set a retrial date of Oct. 19 and ordered Rinderknecht held until then. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said the government plans to retry the case. Defense attorney Steve Haney said the split showed the government had not proved its case.
Prosecutors allege 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 investigators did not tie a lighter or accelerants to him.
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.
