Jurors in the federal trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused of starting the 2025 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, have informed the judge that they are deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The announcement came on the second day of deliberations.
Initially, the jury foreman sent a note to the judge indicating a verdict had been reached. However, a subsequent note stated, "We have people on both sides that are dead-set. Unwavering. We are at a standstill. We are unsure how to proceed."
In response to the judge's inquiry about how the court could assist, the jury replied that "nothing the court can do to assist" would help, adding that "Additional instructions or rereading the testimony would not help in deliberations."
Both the prosecution and defense requested time to research legal options. The judge has instructed the jury to resume deliberations.
A deadlocked jury could lead to a mistrial, requiring federal prosecutors to decide whether to retry Rinderknecht. He faces charges including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire. Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty.
Federal prosecutors allege that Rinderknecht was motivated by anger, loneliness, and a desire for revenge against the wealthy when he allegedly started the fire. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danbee Kim told jurors during closing arguments that the affluent Palisades area represented a wealth disparity to Rinderknecht, who prosecutors claim held a "deeply entrenched belief that the wealthy were destroying the world."
Origin of the Blaze
The fire began shortly after midnight on January 1, 2025, in a brush-heavy area of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Initially called the Lachman Fire, it was believed to have been extinguished by firefighters on New Year's Day. However, investigators later determined the fire smoldered underground.
On January 7, 2025, strong Santa Ana winds reignited the underground embers, causing the fire to resurface. Driven by winds and a severe drought, the blaze escalated into the Palisades Fire. It eventually burned over 23,000 acres and destroyed approximately 6,800 structures, many of which were homes.
Defense Arguments
Defense attorney Steven Haney argued that no physical evidence linked Rinderknecht to the destruction. He contended that the Lachman and Palisades fires were separate events unrelated to his client.
The Palisades Fire is considered the most destructive in Los Angeles County's history and claimed at least a dozen lives.
