Mistrial in Palisades arson trial leaves blaze responsibility unresolved

A federal judge declared a mistrial in the Palisades fire arson case after jurors deadlocked 10-2 for acquittal on all three felony counts against former Uber driver Jonathan Rinderknecht, who prosecutors say started the Lachman fire that ignited the Palisades blaze. After about 13 hours of deliberations, the judge said there was manifest necessity to end the trial; prosecutors plan to retry the case, while the defense argued the evidence failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The Palisades fire killed 12 people, destroyed about 6,500 structures from Pacific Palisades to Malibu, and caused billions in losses, leaving key questions of responsibility unresolved.