LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Our Los Angeles) — A federal judge declared a mistrial Friday in Los Angeles in the case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused of starting the fire that became the Palisades Fire, after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Rinderknecht is charged in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California with destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and a timber-burning count. He has pleaded not guilty.
Jurors told U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang that they were split 10-2 in favor of acquittal after more than 13 hours of deliberations, according to the court proceedings. Hwang ended the trial and scheduled a retrial for Oct. 19, ordering Rinderknecht held until then.
Federal prosecutors said they plan to try the case again. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said his office believes Rinderknecht ignited a Jan. 1 fire that later became the Palisades blaze.
Defense lawyer Steve Haney has said the government did not present enough evidence to convict his client. He said investigators found no accelerants or incendiary devices tied to Rinderknecht.
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and burned more than 23,000 acres, destroying roughly 6,500 structures, according to California fire officials.
