Rinderknecht Faces Second Trial Over Palisades Fire

Jonathan Rinderknecht’s retrial began on November 4, after jurors in his first trial deadlocked 10-2 in favor of acquittal. He has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have narrowed the charges, dropping one count and focusing one remaining count on damage from the January 1, 2025, Lachman fire. Another count concerns the January blaze as well as the Palisades fire, which broke out six days later and killed 12 people.

Prosecutors say cellphone location data, surveillance images and fire-science evidence will show Rinderknecht deliberately ignited brush near a Pacific Palisades hillside. They argue the Lachman fire smoldered underground and later resurfaced as the Palisades fire. Prosecutors also pointed to his repeated calls to 911 and activity on his phone, saying those actions supported their case.

Defense attorney Steve Haney challenged the government’s account, arguing investigators settled on a cause before conducting tests. He showed jurors footage of an experiment in which a lighter flame briefly ignited dry vegetation but did not keep it burning. The tests were conducted after Rinderknecht had been charged. Haney also questioned gaps in surveillance footage and said investigators failed to preserve some potential evidence. The defense has raised fireworks as another possible cause.

The prosecution says laboratory testing supports its theory that a lighter could start the fire. The proceedings are projected to span close to a fortnight.