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 26 (UPI) -- A federal judge declared a mistrial Friday after a jury said it couldn't reach a verdict for the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, which killed a dozen people and burned more than 23,000 acres in Southern California.
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 faced up to 45 years in prison.
Judge Anne Hwang's ruling came after the jury delivered a note Thursday reading: "We cannot reach a unanimous verdict on any of the three charges," CNN reported.
