Arson trial starts for man blamed for Los Angeles' deadly Palisades fire

Opening statements were set to begin on Wednesday in the federal arson trial of a former Uber driver charged with deliberately setting a blaze that grew into one of the deadliest and most destructive wildfires on record in Los Angeles.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, was indicted last October on one felony count each of destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and illegal burning of timber on public lands.

He is accused of “maliciously” starting a fire in January 2025 that was quickly suppressed but continued to smolder under dense vegetation before re-igniting a week later.

Fierce winds then whipped it into a conflagration that killed 12 people and laid waste to the seaside enclave of Pacific Palisades, leading to about $150 billion in property damage.

He pleaded not guilty but has remained in custody since his arrest in Florida, about two weeks before his indictment.

If convicted on all three counts, he would face at least five years in prison, and up to 45 years behind bars, the U.S. Justice Department says.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers were expected to begin presenting their case on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles after Tuesday’s completion of jury selection.

According to prosecutors, Rinderknecht kindled the fire a few minutes after midnight on New Year’s Day near a hiking trail in the mountains near Pacific Palisades, overlooking the ocean adjacent to Santa Monica, after finishing an Uber shift.

Los Angeles firefighters believed they had swiftly extinguished the blaze, known as the Lachman Fire. But it erupted again on January 7 and grew swiftly into the devastating Palisades Fire, federal investigators say.

Driven by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, the flames scorched more than 23,000 acres (9,300 hectares) and destroyed some 6,000 structures.

It coincided with another catastrophic wildfire northeast of Los Angeles known as the Eaton fire, which killed 19 people and ravaged the community of Altadena.

Federal prosecutors have said Rinderknecht appeared to harbor a resentment of the wealthy.

A pre-trial memorandum alleged he was closely tracking news of Luigi Mangione, charged with murdering the CEO of insurance giant UnitedHealthcare and admired in some extreme left-wing circles as a working-class folk hero.

The memo also said Rinderknecht was “deeply agitated” over a fraying romantic relationship.

Court documents and public statements by Rinderknecht’s lawyers suggested that at least part of his defense would hinge on the argument that he was being scapego