Rinderknecht Retrial Begins With Revised Arson Charges

Jury selection starts Monday morning in the federal re-trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht. The case involves the fire that became the deadly Palisades Fire on the Los Angeles County coast.

The initial trial in June ended without a verdict. Jurors deadlocked 10-2 in favor of acquittal. That first proceeding treated the Lachman Fire and the Palisades Fire as a single event.

Prosecutors filed a new indictment for the second trial. This document drops one of the three original charges and revises the remaining two. Rinderknecht pleaded not guilty to the updated counts.

The new charges separate the arson allegation from the massive blaze that followed. The Lachman Fire ignited on Jan. 1, 2025. Six days later, Santa Ana winds swept into Southern California on Jan. 7. Officials stated the Lachman Fire then exploded into the Palisades Fire.

The Palisades Fire burned 23,400 acres. It killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,800 structures. Rinderknecht remains in federal custody without bail.

Federal prosecutors allege Rinderknecht intentionally started the Lachman Fire around midnight on New Year's Day 2025. They say he did so along a hiking trail in the Palisades Highlands neighborhood out of frustration with his place in society and anger toward wealthy people. His defense attorney argues there is insufficient evidence that the Lachman Fire was arson. The lawyer also contends proof is not conclusive that underground embers reignited during the strong winds a week later.