Federal prosecutors are pursuing a new indictment against Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, revising their case and dropping one felony count after his initial trial resulted in a mistrial. The revised charges focus on two distinct fires, according to a Thursday filing.
Rinderknecht is now accused of igniting the Lachman Fire on New Year's Day 2025 and causing the subsequent destruction when the blaze reignited days later as the Palisades Fire. The previous indictment had included three felony counts.
This development follows a mistrial declared less than two months ago when a jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, deadlocking 10-2 in favor of acquittal. Jurors deliberated but ultimately could not agree on a verdict, with the foreman indicating that no further court action could help them reach a consensus.
Federal prosecutors allege that Rinderknecht intentionally started the Lachman Fire near a Pacific Palisades Highlands hiking trail shortly after midnight on New Year's Day. The government's previous case relied on cellphone records, surveillance footage, and Rinderknecht's actions following the fire. Prosecutors stated he frequented the trail and that a green Bic lighter found in his car was the ignition source. Rinderknecht made multiple 911 calls as the blaze grew, stating, "There's a fire, there's a fire. There's a fire a top of Pacific Palisades Highland."
During one 911 call, Rinderknecht was recorded asking ChatGPT, "Are you at fault if a fire is lit because of your cigarettes." His defense team argued that prosecutors failed to prove he started the initial blaze or that the Lachman Fire directly led to the larger inferno that consumed Pacific Palisades a week later.
"There is no evidence that he started the fire. This is all circumstantial," attorney Steve Haney told reporters. Haney also contended that there was no conclusive evidence that embers from the first fire survived underground and reignited amid strong winds.
The Palisades Fire ultimately destroyed approximately 7,000 homes and businesses, causing an estimated $150 billion in damage and resulting in 12 fatalities. Juror skepticism about the government's case was evident during the first trial, with one juror telling The California Post that prosecutors had not presented a convincing argument.
Rinderknecht is scheduled for a status conference next week, and his retrial is slated for September. He is currently facing charges related to arson.