Judge declares mistrial in arson case against man accused of sparking Palisades Fire

A federal judge declared a mistrial on June 26, 2026, in the arson case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused of starting the 2025 Palisades fire in Los Angeles. The jury deliberated for over 13 hours on Thursday and informed the court that they were deadlocked on a verdict. Rinderknecht faced three federal charges related to the fire, which resulted in fatalities. The mistrial means the prosecution will have to decide whether to pursue a new trial. The Palisades fire, which burned over 1,000 acres, significantly impacted the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and surrounding areas, leading to evacuations and substantial property damage. The legal proceedings have been closely watched due to the severity of the fire and its consequences.