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 charged with starting the fire that later became the Palisades Fire, after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Judge Anne Hwang ended the trial after the jury reported it was split 10-2 in favor of acquittal, according to the court record read in open court. Rinderknecht had pleaded not guilty to three federal counts: destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and burning timber on public land.
Prosecutors allege Rinderknecht used a barbecue lighter on Jan. 1, 2025, to ignite a fire that later flared into the Palisades Fire on Jan. 7. California fire officials said the blaze burned more than 23,000 acres, destroyed roughly 6,500 structures and killed 12 people.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said his office plans to retry the case. Hwang set a retrial date for Oct. 19 and ordered Rinderknecht held until then, according to the court proceeding.
Defense attorney Steve Haney said the jury split showed the government’s case was weak.
