PACIFIC PALISADES—Judge Anne Hwang declared a mistrial in the Jonathan Rinderknecht case on Friday, June 26, 2026. Rinderknecht is accused of setting the brush fire that led to the Palisades Fire, which caused 12 people to lose their lives. The trial began on June 8 at the US District Court in downtown Los Angeles and included eight days of testimony.
Jurors could not reach a unanimous decision, with 10 jurors favoring a not-guilty verdict and only 2 voting to convict. The defense believes this is a resounding sign of their client’s innocence. Prosecutors including First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli, have every intention of retrying the case.
The judge set the retrial date for October 19, 2026, and ordered Rinderknecht to remain in federal custody in the months leading up to his retrial. If convicted, he faces a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 45 years in federal prison.
A federal jury began deliberating on June 24, 2026, on whether Rinderknecht ignited the brush fire that later became the Palisades Fire in January 2025. He is charged with destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire.
The fire burned 23,448 acres, destroyed approximately 6,800 structures. The Palisades Fire was the most destructive fire in the history of Los Angeles.
The prosecution claims Rinderknecht set the fire out of resentment toward the wealthy, whom he blamed for destroying the world.
Some of the evidence presented at trial included video surveillance, cellphone geolocation data placing him about 30 feet from the fire as it began to spread, a green Bic lighter found in his rental car, and a recorded interview with investigators.
The defense argued there is no direct evidence tying Rinderknecht to the crime. Retired LASD detective Ed Nordskog testified stating: “There’s no data that says it’s arson.” He mentioned that the area was not considered a crime scene until weeks after the event.
