LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Our Los Angeles) — A federal judge in Los Angeles declared a mistrial Friday in the case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused of setting the fire that grew into the deadly Palisades Fire, after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Judge Anne Hwang said the 12-member jury was split 10-2 in favor of acquittal, according to notes read in court. Rinderknecht had pleaded not guilty to federal charges including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and burning timber on public land.
Hwang set a retrial date of Oct. 19 and ordered Rinderknecht held in custody until then. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said his office plans to retry the case.
Prosecutors alleged that Rinderknecht used a barbecue lighter on Jan. 1, 2025, to spark a fire that later reignited and became the Palisades Fire. Defense attorney Steve Haney said the split showed the government’s case was not strong.
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7, 2025, burned more than 23,000 acres over more than three weeks, destroyed roughly 6,500 to nearly 7,000 structures and killed 12 people, according to California fire officials and court reporting.
