Palisades Fire suspect faces second trial after mistrial
Federal prosecutors have filed a revised indictment against Jonathan Rinderknecht after a jury deadlocked 10-2 in favor of acquittal.
By Hans Laetz
Jonathan Rinderknecht faces a second trial for allegedly starting the Palisades Fire.
This summer, the U.S. Justice Department suffered a major embarrassment when its high-profile arson case against Rinderknecht exploded and went down in flames in a mistrial. Jurors told the judge they were hopelessly deadlocked 10 to 2 in favor of letting him go — acquittal on all charges.
Yesterday, prosecutors filed a revised indictment against Rinderknecht. One of the three previous counts was removed. The remaining two were redefined.
Rinderknecht is now charged in one count with arson for igniting the Jan. 1 Lachman Fire. Federal prosecutors have separated out the Jan. 7 Palisades Fire as a second, independent charge.
Trial is expected in September, and this time the federal prosecutors apparently think they know what they are doing.
The failure to bring convictions against Rinderknecht reflected confusion and poor oversight at the U.S. Department of Justice's Los Angeles office. It's being led by a political appointee — a former state legislator — who has not been able to win confirmation by Congress.