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New Trial for Palisades Fire Suspect
15 Aug
Summary
- New indictment filed against Palisades Fire suspect Rinderknecht.
- Prosecutors vow to retry the case after mistrial in June.
- Suspect Rinderknecht faces two federal arson counts.
A new indictment has been unsealed against Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, who is accused of starting the Lachman Fire that later became the 2025 Palisades Fire. This development follows a mistrial declared in June, with prosecutors vowing to retry the case.
The revised indictment charges Rinderknecht with two federal arson counts: destruction of property by means of fire and arson affecting property used in interstate commerce. A previous charge related to timber set afire has been dropped. The first charge in the new indictment specifically references Rinderknecht's alleged role in starting the Lachman Fire.
During the June trial, 10 out of 12 jurors reportedly favored a not-guilty verdict, a detail highlighted by the defense. Despite this, Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated the prosecution's strong intent to pursue a retrial. The prosecution argues Rinderknecht maliciously started a fire near Pacific Palisades on January 1, 2025, which subsequently grew into the Palisades Fire, potentially reignited by Santa Ana winds.
Rinderknecht is scheduled for a status conference next week, with a retrial tentatively planned for October. The defense notes that only 8 to 10 acres burned in the initial Lachman Fire.
