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Man accused of starting deadly Palisades Fire pleads not guilty, again
A firefighter douses a hot spot as a fire burns in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025.
(
David Swanson
/
AFP
)
Topline:
The former Pacific Palisades resident accused of starting a fire that led to last year’s destructive Palisades Fire pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a new set of reduced arson-related charges, according to federal prosecutors.
Why it matters: Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, was arraigned on two charges in a downtown L.A. courtroom. He was originally facing three arson-related charges, but his first trial ended with a deadlocked jury in June. The judge declared a mistrial, and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli vowed to retry the case before a new jury.
Why now: Steve Haney, Rinderknecht’s attorney, told reporters after the hearing that their defense strategy will mostly remain the same, as he argues Rinderknecht is innocent. "I've maintained all along that the charging was a little bit curious," Haney said, according to LAist’s media partner CBS LA. "[Prosecutors] still need to establish that there's some bridge between the two fires, the Lachman Fire on Jan. 1 and Palisades on Jan. 7, and I think that's a real challenge."
The backstory: Prosecutors have argued that Rinderknecht maliciously started the smaller Lachman Fire near a hiking trail in the Santa Monica Mountains just after midnight on New Year’s Day 2025. About a week later, it became the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California history.
What's next: The retrial was originally set for October, but it’s been continued to Nov. 2. Rinderknecht will stay in federal custody in the meantime.
Go deeper: Judge declares mistrial for man accused of starting deadly Palisades Fire
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