Second trial begins for man accused of starting Palisades fire

Twelve people died and approximately 6,500 structures were destroyed when the Palisades Fire swept through the Pacific Palisades and Malibu neighborhoods in January 2025. Federal prosecutors opened the second trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht on Wednesday in Los Angeles, arguing that a small brush fire he allegedly started six days prior fueled the deadly conflagration.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt O’Brien told the jury that Rinderknecht used a lighter to ignite vegetation around midnight on New Year's Eve 2025. The blaze, known as the Lachman Fire, began near the Skull Rock Trailhead. Firefighters initially suppressed the flames, but O’Brien said the fire continued to smolder underground within the root systems of trees and brush for six days. On January 7, 2025, strong Santa Ana winds caused the underground fire to resurface and spread, becoming the Palisades Fire.

The Palisades Fire burned 23,448 acres and resulted in billions of dollars in damage and insurance claims. It is the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history. Rinderknecht, 30, pleaded not guilty to two federal arson counts: destruction of property by means of fire and arson affecting property used in interstate commerce. A superseding indictment removed a third charge involving timber set afire that was part of the original three-count filing.

This is the second trial for the case. Earlier this year, a jury deadlocked 10-2 in favor of acquitting Rinderknecht on three arson-related charges. The judge declared a mistrial, and prosecutors vowed to retry the case. U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang ruled that there would be no reference to the first trial during the retrial.

Defense attorney Steven Haney told the panel that there is no direct physical evidence linking Rinderknecht to the fire. Haney argued that the Lachman and Palisades fires were separate events and that the initial blaze was likely caused by errant New Year's Eve fireworks. He stated that Rinderknecht, a part-time Uber driver, was on the trail near the Hidden Buddha clearing and called 911 to report the fire. Haney noted that no one saw the defendant start the fire, a point O’Brien also conceded.

Prosecutors plan to present evidence that Rinderknecht intentionally set the Lachman Fire and then lied about it during an eight-hour interview with investigators. They cited witness testimony, video surveillance, cell phone data, and fire dynamics analysis. O’Brien described the evidence as circumstantial but sufficient to show the fire was a holdover from the initial ignition.

Rinderknecht remains in federal custody during the trial. Three separate judges have found him to be a danger to the community. That determination was based on evidence that he hid a firearm in a child’s teddy bear and threatened to burn his sister’s house down in Florida. The defense said Rinderknecht was driven by anger, loneliness, and a thirst for revenge.

Hundreds of prospective jurors gathered in the downtown federal courthouse on Monday for questioning. A final 16-member panel was chosen at the end of the day on Tuesday. The trial is expected to last about two weeks. Prosecutors are expected to call more than two dozen witnesses.

Rinderknecht sat in court on Wednesday wearing a suit, with a beard and short hair. He rarely looked up at the attorneys delivering their opening statements. The next scheduled step in the legal process is the presentation of witness testimony and physical evidence to the jury.