LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Our Los Angeles) — A federal judge in Los Angeles declared a mistrial Friday in the arson case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is charged in connection with the Palisades Fire after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty to three federal counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and a timber-burning charge. Court notes read by Judge Anne Hwang showed the 12-person jury was split 10-2 in favor of acquittal.
Hwang set a retrial for Oct. 19, according to AP, and prosecutors said they plan to try the case again. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said his office intended to seek convictions on all counts.
Prosecutors allege Rinderknecht used a barbecue lighter on Jan. 1, 2025, to start a fire that later became the Palisades Fire. California fire officials have said the blaze burned more than 23,000 acres and destroyed roughly 6,500 to nearly 7,000 structures in the Pacific Palisades area.
