CA, US & World
Mistrial Declared in Case Linked to Deadly Palisades Fire
A federal judge has declared a mistrial in the case of a man accused of starting California's deadliest wildfire of 2025 after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
The jury deliberated for three days before informing the court it was deadlocked on all three charges against 30-year-old Jonathan Rindernecht. According to court proceedings, 10 jurors voted to acquit while two voted to convict.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Rindernecht intentionally started a small fire that later reignited and grew into the devastating Palisades Fire. The wildfire killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, becoming one of California's most destructive fires in recent history.
Defense attorneys argued there was no direct evidence connecting Rindernecht to the blaze. They contended that fireworks were a more likely cause of the fire, challenging the prosecution's theory of how the disaster began.
Following the deadlocked jury, the judge officially declared a mistrial.
Federal prosecutors have announced they intend to retry the case, meaning Rindernecht will once again face the charges in a future trial.
The Palisades Fire prompted widespread evacuations and caused billions of dollars in damage, leaving lasting impacts on communities throughout Southern California. Investigators continue working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the fire's origin as legal proceedings move forward.
By: NBC Palm Springs
June 26, 2026
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