Man accused of starting Palisades fire was ‘angry, intense, driving erratically’, lawyers say
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is accused of starting the deadly Palisades fire in Los Angeles that killed 12 people and became one of California's most destructive wildfires. Prosecutors allege he was emotionally distressed over a failed relationship and New Year’s Eve plans, and that he expressed anger and resentment while driving for Uber. His attorneys argue he is being used as a scapegoat for the fire department's failure to fully extinguish an earlier blaze, and trial is set to begin on 8 June 2026.
- ▪Jonathan Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty to starting the Palisades fire that began on 7 January 2025 and killed 12 people.
- ▪Prosecutors claim Rinderknecht started a fire on 1 January 2025 that smoldered undetected before reigniting a week later.
- ▪Witnesses reported Rinderknecht was driving erratically on Uber routes and ranting about being 'pissed off at the world' on New Year’s Eve.
- ▪Rinderknecht’s attorneys argue he is a scapegoat for the Los Angeles fire department’s failure to fully extinguish the initial fire.
- ▪A firefighter testified that ground hotspots were still present on 2 January 2025, raising questions about the fire department’s response.
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The devastation from the Palisades fire is shown in an aerial view of Los Angeles on 27 January 2025. Photograph: Jae C Hong/APView image in fullscreenThe devastation from the Palisades fire is shown in an aerial view of Los Angeles on 27 January 2025. Photograph: Jae C Hong/APCalifornia wildfiresMan accused of starting Palisades fire was ‘angry, intense, driving erratically’, lawyers sayJonathan Rinderknecht’s attorneys say he’s being used as scapegoat for Los Angeles fire department’s failure to fully extinguish earlier blaze Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Associated PressTue 5 May 2026 08.35 EDTLast modified on Tue 5 May 2026 09.44 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe man accused of sparking the deadly Palisades fire in Los Angeles was…
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