safety
DOJ picked Palisades arson suspect as ‘scapegoat' despite lack of evidence, defense attorney says
By Helen Jeong at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 26, 2026
· 3 min read
Minutes after a mistrial was declared in the Pacific Palisades arson trial Friday, defense attorneys for the suspect expressed confidence that the federal government’s attempt to retry the case will also fail.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire, a smaller brush ...
Key takeaway Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire, a smaller brush fire that was ignited on Jan.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The mistrial in the Pacific Palisades arson case raises questions about the pursuit of justice in Los Angeles County, where wildfires pose a persistent threat to public safety. The defense attorney's claim that the DOJ picked Jonathan Rinderknecht as a "scapegoat" suggests that the pressure to assign blame for devastating fires may lead to overly aggressive prosecution. As the case moves towards a retrial, the community will be watching to see if the evidence presented can convincingly link Rinderknecht to the crime. The fact that 10 of 12 jurors found him not guilty in the first trial indicates that the prosecution's case may be weaker than claimed. The outcome of the retrial will have implications for how Los Angeles County balances the need for accountability with the need to protect the rights of the accused, particularly in high-profile cases where public opinion may be inflamed by the severity of the crime.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Minutes after a mistrial was declared in the Pacific Palisades arson trial Friday, defense attorneys for the suspect expressed confidence that the federal government’s attempt to retry the case will also fail.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire, a smaller brush ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Helen Jeong at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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