A mistrial has been declared in the trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of sparking the deadly Palisades Fire. Jurors in Los Angeles federal court indicated they could not reach a unanimous verdict, with 10 jurors finding Rinderknecht not guilty and two believing he was guilty.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated his office intends to retry Rinderknecht, citing strong evidence that he is responsible for igniting the fire on January 1, 2025, which eventually became the Palisades Fire. "We fully intend to retry this case before a new jury and obtain guilty verdicts on all charged counts," Essayli posted on X.
In a turn of events on Thursday, the jury initially informed the court they had reached a decision before reporting a standstill later that afternoon. Rinderknecht, 30, faces three felony counts: destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire. These charges are tied to the Lachman Fire, which began on New Year's Day in 2025, was initially doused, but reignited underground a week later, leading to the Palisades Fire.
Prosecutors alleged Rinderknecht lit the fire using a green Bic lighter found in his car. The Palisades Fire ultimately destroyed 7,000 homes and businesses, caused $150 billion in damages, and resulted in 12 deaths.
During the two-week trial, prosecutors presented evidence including Rinderknecht's alleged use of ChatGPT as a journal to express sentiments about climate change and the wealthy, as well as angry text messages and his repeated listening to a French rapper's music video featuring arson. The government acknowledged it lacked direct footage of Rinderknecht igniting the initial blaze, relying instead on cellphone records and surveillance video placing him near the origin of the 9-acre fire.
Rinderknecht's defense attorney, Steve Haney, argued that his client was a victim of "character assassination" and that prosecutors failed to prove Rinderknecht started the fire, calling the evidence circumstantial. Haney also noted that Rinderknecht’s 911 calls reporting the fire shortly after it began, and his inquiries to ChatGPT about responsibility for fires potentially caused by cigarettes, were suspicious actions aimed at creating an alternative narrative.
Further details presented by officials included Rinderknecht's alleged obsession with Luigi Mangione, a man on trial for murder, and searches related to "free Luigi Mangione" and "lets take down all the billionaires." Federal agents also testified that Rinderknecht had searched for the address of DoorDash's CEO with the intent to murder him.
Prior to Rinderknecht's arrest, public blame for the fire was directed at Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was overseas when the blaze started, and criticisms were raised regarding empty reservoirs and preparedness. Some residents, like Jeremy Padawer, who lost his home, believe Rinderknecht is being used as a scapegoat for perceived negligence by city and state leaders in managing the fire, pointing to issues like brush clearance and emergency personnel shortages.
Rinderknecht's father, Joel, maintained his son's innocence throughout the proceedings. Rinderknecht himself was actively involved in the jury selection process, according to Haney.