A surprise deadlocked jury in the Palisades Fire trial leaves attorneys weighing next steps
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lawyers are weighing their options after a jury said it couldn’t decide whether to convict the man accused of sparking the deadly 2025 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles after two days of deliberation.
Jurors said Thursday they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, on three federal charges; It was a surprising development when less than 30 minutes ago they said they had reached a unanimous decision. They were asked to return to court Friday morning.
“There are people on both sides who are determined, unwavering and unwilling to change their minds,” he said in the jury note read by Judge Anne Hwang. “We’re still at a standstill. We’re not sure how to move forward.”
rinderknecht did not admit his guilt to start what becomes one most destructive forest fires In California history. He was charged with arson, intentional destruction by fire and setting fire to timber.
Prosecutors say Rinderknecht started a fire on Jan. 1, 2025, which burned unnoticed deep in the root systems and reignited a week later. The Palisades Fire started on January 7 and burned the hillside neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Malibu, killing 12 people.
His trial began on June 8 and featured lengthy testimony from surrounding investigators, experts and witnesses. Although the government did not have direct evidence that Rinderknecht started the first fire, they placed him at the site and showed that he was angry and unstable the night of the fire. One potential reason, they said, was disillusionment with the rich and powerful. His defense argued that fireworks were more likely the cause of the fire.
Hwang sent a note asking if there was anything the court could do to assist in negotiations, such as additional instructions or rereading the testimony. The jury said no. He then asked if the jury was split on all three of Rinderknecht’s charges, and the jury confirmed that they were.
Prosecutors suggested the judge introduce additional argument to help jurors continue deliberating, but Rinderknecht’s lawyers opposed it. They also proposed the Allen charge, which was essentially a more strongly worded jury instruction that encouraged a hung jury to continue trying to reach a settlement. Judges generally do not declare a mistrial until multiple steps have been taken to ensure that the jury is truly deadlocked.
Both sides wanted the jury to return Friday so they had more time to plan their options.
Rinderknecht’s father, who was in court throughout the hearing, put his head in his hands when the jury said it had “stopped”. His brother and sister were also in court.
His attorney, Steve Haney, said Rinderknecht felt “a lot of anxiety” as he listened to court proceedings.
“You can imagine his life was in danger. … It’s been a long process for him,” Haney said. “He has been detained for 10 months.”
