Jurors Weigh Whether Jonathan Rinderknecht Sparked Fire That Killed 12 and Destroyed 6,500 Structures
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 23
Jurors Weigh Whether Jonathan Rinderknecht Sparked Fire That Killed 12 and Destroyed 6,500 Structures
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 23
Summary
Los Angeles jurors began deliberating Tuesday on whether Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, intentionally set the New Year’s Day Lachman fire that later grew into the Palisades blaze.
Prosecutors said Rinderknecht used a barbecue lighter near the Hidden Buddha clearing, then the fire smoldered underground for a week before erupting into the Jan. 7 inferno that caused billions in losses.
More than 30 prosecution witnesses said investigators ruled out lightning, cigarettes, power lines and fireworks, while cellphone data placed Rinderknecht near the origin point and records showed anger toward wealthy elites.
Defense lawyer Steve Haney argued the case rests on motive and circumstantial evidence because the original scene was burned over, no witness or video shows Rinderknecht lighting vegetation, and a defense expert said fireworks were the likeliest cause.
If convicted, Rinderknecht faces up to 45 years in prison in a case tied to the worst wildfire in Los Angeles history.