LOS ANGELES — A federal judge declared a mistrial in the arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht on June 26, 2026, after the jury remained deadlocked. Prosecutors announced plans to retry the case.

The jury foreperson stated that 10 jurors voted not guilty, while two supported a guilty verdict. Jurors began deliberations on June 24 and informed the court on June 25 that they could not reach a unanimous verdict on any of the three charges against Rinderknecht.

First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli stated that prosecutors would try the case again. Essayli said, "The evidence is strong that Jonathan Rinderknecht is responsible for igniting the fire on January 1, 2025, which eventually became the Palisades fire." Rinderknecht, a 30-year-old dual French and US citizen and former Uber driver, pleaded not guilty in October 2025 to charges of destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire. If convicted, he faced a maximum of 45 years in prison.

Prosecutors accused Rinderknecht of deliberately igniting a blaze on January 1, 2025, that developed into the Pacific Palisades fire. This fire killed 12 people and destroyed over 6,000 buildings in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Prosecutors argued Rinderknecht initiated the fire out of a desire for revenge against society and anger toward the wealthy. They presented testimony from passengers Rinderknecht drove, who stated he ranted about capitalism and was fixated on Luigi Mangione, who is accused in a December 2024 killing of a healthcare executive in New York. Prosecutors also argued that Rinderknecht used ChatGPT to chronicle a fascination with fire before traveling to the area. They called more than 30 witnesses over six days.

Rinderknecht's attorneys called nine witnesses over approximately three days. A consultant and former arson investigator testified for the defense, stating there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate a serious intent to start a fire. The defense witness also testified that fireworks were the most evident cause of the blaze. The defense acknowledged Rinderknecht saw flames at a clearing known as the Hidden Buddha and emphasized that he made multiple attempts to call 911, though the calls initially failed to connect. Fire officials believed they had extinguished the Lachman fire, but it smoldered underground for six days before Santa Ana Winds rekindled its embers on January 7, 2025. The fires in the Los Angeles region in January 2025 resulted in a total of 31 deaths and destroyed 16,000 structures.