Deadlocked on Palisades arson case as jurors weigh a blaze tied to wealth divide

Jurors in the arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht for the Palisades Fire remain deadlocked after previously signaling a verdict; prosecutors say he deliberately started the New Year’s Eve blaze that destroyed much of Pacific Palisades, burning 23,448 acres and killing 12, with evidence including surveillance, cell data and a lighter, while defense argues the case rests on fragmented proof and should not convict on partial information. If convicted on three arson counts, Rinderknecht faces up to 45 years in prison.