Jonathan Rinderknecht pleaded not guilty to three charges related to the setting of the Palisades Fire in 2025. File Photo courtesy of Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli | License Photo
June 8 (UPI) -- Jury selection was set to begin Monday for the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire that killed a dozen people and burned more than 23,000 in Southern California in 2025.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, pleaded not guilty to charges including 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.
The trial is expected to last seven to 11 days, ABC News reported.
He's accused of setting a fire on Jan. 1, 2025, that would later develop into the Palisades Fire, one of the worst wildfires in California history, which burned thousands of structures in Pacific Palisades, Topanga and Malibu. The fire was fully contained on Jan. 31, 2025.
