Palisades Fire Trial: Jury Deadlocked, Set to Return for Further Instructions Friday
The jury in the high-profile federal arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, the man accused of igniting the devastating Palisades Fire, has hit a deadlock after two days of deliberations. U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang on Thursday instructed the jurors to return Friday morning for further instructions, after they notified the court they could not agree on any of the three federal charges against the defendant.
The confusion began when the jury initially signaled they had reached a verdict, but quickly followed up with a note saying: “We have people on both sides, dead set, unwavering to change their opinion, we are at standstill.” That sparked a flurry of legal arguments between prosecutors and the defense over how to proceed. Both sides eventually agreed to ask the jury whether they could reach a unanimous decision on each individual count. The jury's response was stark: “We cannot reach a unanimous verdict on any of the three charges.” The word “cannot” was underlined, according to the judge.
Rinderknecht, 30, has pleaded not guilty to destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire. Prosecutors allege he set a small blaze known as the Lachman Fire in a remote hillside clearing in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood early on New Year's Day 2025. Although firefighters initially contained it, an arson investigator testified that the fire smoldered underground before strong Santa Ana winds fanned it into the massive Palisades Fire on January 7, which killed a dozen people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.
Over six days, prosecutors called more than 30 witnesses to paint Rinderknecht as a vengeful and angry individual. They argued he was motivated by resentment toward wealthy society and frustration over his inability to find companionship on New Year's Eve. Passengers who rode with him while he worked as an Uber driver testified that he ranted about capitalism and became fixated on Luigi Mangione, the man charged in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The defense, meanwhile, acknowledged Rinderknecht was at the clearing — known as Hidden Buddha — and saw flames that night, but emphasized he called 911 multiple times, though he could not immediately connect. Attorney Steve Haney argued no one saw his client light a fire, calling him a scapegoat. The defense called nine witnesses over three days, including a former arson investigator who testified that fireworks were “the most obvious cause” of the blaze. Eyewitnesses corroborated that New Year's revelers were setting off fireworks in the area.
With the jury at an impasse, the court must now weigh options. If the jury remains deadlocked — known as a hung jury — Judge Hwang could declare a mistrial, leaving the case unresolved and potentially setting the stage for a retrial. “The latest note is a pretty clear indication as to where they are,” a defense attorney said during a sidebar with the judge and prosecution.
After Thursday's proceedings, Haney told reporters that Rinderknecht is feeling “a lot of anxiety” but “hanging in there.” Prosecutors declined to comment. The jury is scheduled to return at 9 a.m. PT Friday for the court's response.