Arson trial begins for man accused of sparking deadly Palisades fire
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In their opening statement, prosecutors told a federal jury on Wednesday that Jonathan Rinderknecht, driven by a desire for revenge against society, used a lighter to intentionally set what would eventually become the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history.Rinderknecht’s defense attorney countered that his client, a 29-year-old former Uber driver, had only gone up on a hill on New Year’s Eve 2024 to watch fireworks and had immediately called 911 when he spotted the fire.The evidence, he said, would show the fire was caused by fireworks.“Jonathan did not start the fire,” defense attorney Steve Haney told jurors.At Rinderknecht’s trial, which began this week in a downtown L.A.
courthouse, disparate portraits emerged of the man charged with starting the Lachman fire, which smoldered underground for a week before exploding into the deadly Palisades fire on Jan.7, 2025.Investigators say he was in the area working as an Uber driver and dropping off passengers on New Year’s Eve near an area where he formerly lived.Authorities allege he started the Lachman fire near Skull Rock in Temescal Canyon just after midnight.
Prosecutors cited witness statements, video surveillance, Rinderknecht’s cellphone data and an analysis of where the fire ignited.Investigators also found an AI-generated image of a burning city on Rinderknecht’s iPhone, according to First Asst.U.S.
Atty.Bill Essayli.The Palisades fire killed 12 people, destroyed 6,500 structures across the Palisades and Malibu and cost billions in damage and insurance claims.
Rinderknecht, who has been in federal custody since October, is charged with destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.If convicted, he faces up to 45 years in prison.More than 70 people packed into the courtroom on Wednesday morning, including Rinderknecht’s father, ...