Palisades Fire Trial Hits Standstill After Jury Can’t Agree

A federal jury weighing the case against a man accused of igniting the catastrophic 2025 Palisades Fire abruptly reversed course Thursday, telling the court it was hopelessly deadlocked after first reporting that it had…

Andrew PowellJun 26, 20263 min read

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asked whether additional legal instructions or a review of testimony would help break the impasse. Jurors responded that neither option would make a difference.

“There is nothing the court can do to assist the jury in their deliberations. Additional instructions or rereading the testimony would not help in deliberations. Unfortunately, we cannot reach a unanimous verdict,” the panel replied.

Attorneys for both the prosecution and defense requested time to examine their legal options before the court took further action. The judge instructed jurors to return on Friday morning and continue deliberating.

If the panel remains unable to reach a unanimous verdict, the court could declare a mistrial. Federal prosecutors would then decide whether to pursue another Trial.

Rinderknecht faces charges including destruction of property by means of Fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire.

Prosecutors allege he intentionally ignited the initial Lachman Fire shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, 2025, in a remote section of Pacific Palisades. Although firefighters believed they had extinguished the blaze, investigators later concluded it continued to smolder underground.

Authorities contend that powerful Santa Ana winds on Jan. 7 reignited those embers, triggering the Palisades Fire. The wildfire ultimately burned more than 23,000 acres, destroyed roughly 6,800 structures, and claimed at least 12 lives.

During closing arguments, prosecutors argued Rinderknecht harbored resentment toward wealthy communities and deliberately targeted the area.

Defense attorney Steven Haney countered that prosecutors failed to present physical evidence linking his client to the Fire and argued the Lachman Fire and the later Palisades Fire were separate incidents with no proven connection.

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