Mistrial declared in federal Palisades Fire arson case

By Chris Woodward
The Center Square

A mistrial was declared Friday morning in the federal arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, charged with starting what became the Palisades Fire, one of Los Angeles’ most devastating blazes.

The jury was deadlocked in Los Angeles and told U.S. District Court Judge Anne Hwang that it could not reach a unanimous verdict. Ten jurors thought Rinderknecht was not guilty. Two thought he was guilty. Hwang declared the mistrial.

Rinderknecht was arrested in October 2025 for starting the fire. At the time of his arrest, Rinderknecht was 29 years old. He was accused of maliciously starting a New Year’s Day fire that grew into the Palisades Fire on Jan. 7, 2025. The U.S. Department of Justice’s charges against him included destruction of property by means of fire.

Despite the mistrial, prosecutors believe Rinderknecht is guilty.

“The evidence is strong that Jonathan Rinderknecht is responsible for igniting the fire on January 1, 2025, which eventually became the Palisades fire,” U.S. First Assistant Attorney Bill Essayli posted on X. “We fully intend to retry this case before a new jury and obtain guilty verdicts on all charged counts.”

The Center Square sought comment from Essayli and was directed to the X post.

The destructive blaze burned 23,448 acres in areas including the coastal Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles and the beach city of Malibu, as well as inland properties. Large tracts of wooded land were reduced to what looked like moonscapes.

The blaze killed at least 12 people and destroyed 6,833 structures.

“The complaint alleges that a single person’s recklessness caused one of the worst fires Los Angeles has ever seen, resulting in death and widespread destruction in Pacific Palisades,” Essayli said in October 2025. “While we cannot bring back what victims lost, we hope this criminal case brings some measure of justice to those affected by this horrific tragedy.”

In February 2026, Los Angeles Councilmember Traci Park, whose district includes the Palisades, said “thousands of people” remain displaced.

Park reacted Friday to the mistrial.

“Nothing about today’s decision declaring a mistrial will bring back the lives lost or restore what was taken from so many thousands of victims,” Park said, answering The Center Square’s question by email. “My thoughts remain with every survivor, family, worker and small business owner still fighting to rebuild their líves and for the answers and accountability they deserve.”