LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Our Los Angeles) — A federal judge in Los Angeles declared a mistrial Friday in the arson case against Jonathan Rinderknecht after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict over whether he started the fire that later became the Palisades Fire.
Judge Anne Hwang said the 12-member jury was split 10-2 in favor of acquittal after more than 13 hours of deliberations, according to statements read in court. Hwang set a retrial date of Oct. 19 and ordered Rinderknecht to remain in custody, according to court reports.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said it plans to try the case again. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said prosecutors believe Rinderknecht ignited a fire with a barbecue lighter on Jan. 1, 2025, and that it later grew into the Palisades Fire.
Rinderknecht had pleaded not guilty to three federal charges: destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and burning timber on public land. Defense attorney Steve Haney has said the government did not present enough evidence tying Rinderknecht to a lighter or accelerants.
The Palisades Fire erupted Jan. 7, 2025, burned more than 23,000 acres over more than three weeks and destroyed roughly 6,500 to nearly 7,000 structures, according to California fire officials. Reports tied to the case said 12 people died.
