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 in connection with the Palisades Fire after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang acted after the jury reported a 10-2 split in favor of acquittal, according to AP and Reuters coverage of the court proceedings. 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 third count related to timber on public land.
Hwang set a tentative retrial date of Oct. 19 and ordered Rinderknecht held until then, according to AP and Reuters. Bill Essayli, the acting U.S. attorney in the Central District of California, said his office plans to try the case again.
Prosecutors alleged at trial 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 government did not prove its case and argued the jury’s split showed the evidence was weak.
AP and Reuters reported the Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7, 2025, burned more than 23,000 acres over more than three weeks and killed 12 people. California fire officials said the blaze destroyed roughly 6,500 to nearly 7,000 structures.
