safety
Judge declares mistrial for man accused of starting deadly Palisades Fire
By Makenna Cramer at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 26, 2026
· 5 min read
The Palisades Fire, seen here on Jan. 7, went on to devastate whole neighborhoods, destroying thousands of homes and killing 12 people. (David Swanson / AFP)A judge declared a mistrial on Friday for a former Pacific Palisades resident accused of starting a fire that led to last year’s destructiv...
Key takeaway Outside the courthouse, Rinderknecht’s attorney, Steve Haney, told reporters the fact that the vote was 10-2 in favor of the defense sent a message that the "government failed.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The mistrial in the case of Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of starting the devastating Palisades Fire, means the community will have to wait longer for closure. The fire's impact is still felt in Los Angeles , with thousands of homes destroyed and 12 lives lost. As the case moves forward with a new trial date set for October 19, residents will be watching to see how the prosecution plans to present its case again. The fact that the jury was deadlocked, with 10 members voting not guilty and two voting guilty, suggests that the evidence against Rinderknecht may not be as clear-cut as prosecutors claim. The new trial will likely revisit the events surrounding the Lachman Fire and its connection to the larger Palisades Fire, and the community will be eager to see how the court navigates the complexities of the case.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . 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 .
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Category: safety ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Palisades Fire, seen here on Jan. 7, went on to devastate whole neighborhoods, destroying thousands of homes and killing 12 people. (David Swanson / AFP)A judge declared a mistrial on Friday for a former Pacific Palisades resident accused of starting a fire that led to last year’s destructiv...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Makenna Cramer at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). 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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