Jury Deadlock halted deliberations in the federal criminal trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht after jurors informed the court they could not reach a unanimous verdict. The development came after the panel had initially indicated it had reached a decision before quickly reversing course.
The jury notified the court of the impasse during its second day of deliberations following a 10-day federal trial. Rinderknecht, 30, has pleaded not guilty to charges including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire.
According to court proceedings, the jury foreperson first submitted a note stating that jurors had reached a verdict. Minutes later, the panel sent another note explaining that members remained divided and could not agree on a unanimous decision.
The second note stated that jurors remained firmly split on both sides of the case. It also explained that further discussion had failed to resolve the disagreement and asked how the court wished to proceed.
In response, the judge asked whether additional legal instructions or a rereading of testimony might help jurors continue deliberating. The panel responded that neither option would assist because members had reached a complete standstill.
Both prosecutors and defense attorneys requested additional time to research the available legal options following the jury’s latest communication. After hearing from both sides, the judge instructed jurors to return the following morning and continue deliberations.
A continued Jury Deadlock could ultimately lead the court to declare a mistrial. If that occurs, federal prosecutors would then decide whether to pursue a new trial.
Prosecutors allege that Rinderknecht started a fire shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, 2025, in a remote brush-covered area of Pacific Palisades. Investigators identified that initial blaze as the Lachman Fire.
According to prosecutors, firefighters believed they had extinguished the fire after responding on New Year’s Day. Investigators later concluded that underground embers continued smoldering beneath the surface instead of going out completely.
Authorities allege powerful Santa Ana winds on Jan. 7 reignited those embers above ground. Prosecutors contend the fire rapidly expanded because of strong winds and severe drought conditions.
Court records state the resulting Palisades Fire burned more than 23,000 acres and destroyed approximately 6,800 structures, including thousands of homes. Prosecutors also allege the fire claimed at least a dozen lives and became the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles County history.
During closing arguments, prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht allegedly harbored resentment toward wealthy communities. They contended those beliefs motivated him to start the original fire that later developed into the larger wildfire.
Defense attorneys disputed those allegations throughout the trial. They argued that prosecutors failed to present physical evidence directly linking Rinderknecht to the destruction. The defense also maintained that the Lachman Fire and the later Palisades Fire were separate events unrelated to their client.
The court has not reached a verdict, and Rinderknecht remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Jury Deadlock therefore leaves the outcome of the federal case unresolved while jurors continue their deliberations.
