Prosecutors narrow their case ahead of the retrial of the man accused of setting the Palisades fire
Summary
Federal prosecutors have reduced the charges against Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused of starting the 2025 Palisades fire in Los Angeles that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of buildings. After a mistrial in June, the second trial will begin in the fall with a narrower case focused on two charges.Key Facts
- Jonathan Rinderknecht is accused of starting the deadly Palisades fire in January 2025.
- The fire killed 12 people and destroyed over 6,800 buildings in Los Angeles neighborhoods.
- The first trial ended in a mistrial because the jury could not agree on a verdict.
- Prosecutors initially charged Rinderknecht with three felonies but now have reduced it to two charges.
- The new charges focus more specifically on the fires started on January 1 and their aftermath.
- Prosecutors claim Rinderknecht used a barbecue lighter to start the fire.
- Rinderknecht’s attorneys say there is no direct proof he caused the fire and suggest fireworks might be the cause.
- The second trial is scheduled to start in the fall, with an arraignment status conference set for Wednesday.
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