Prosecutors in the federal trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, the man accused of sparking last year’s deadly Palisades Fire, laid out a narrative for jurors of a premeditated arsonist who tried to cover his tracks. Rinderknecht, 29, has pleaded not guilty to starting the fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in Pacific Palisades and Malibu.

Prosecution’s Case

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt O’Brien told jurors that security camera footage shows where and when the fire ignited atop a hill, and investigators were able to place Rinderknecht nearby because he called 911 for help 16 times in quick succession on the evening of January 1, 2025. O’Brien said that Rinderknecht was the only person there that evening and that after firefighters arrived, Rinderknecht followed them up the hill to take videos of them putting out the blaze.

Prosecutors also presented evidence of a barbecue lighter found in Rinderknecht’s car, which he admitted to having with him on the trail. O’Brien painted a picture of a troubled young man who was lonely and angry at the world after a recent breakup, and who wanted revenge against society.

Defense’s Case

Defense attorney Steve Haney offered an alternate story, saying that Rinderknecht was on the hilltop near the fire’s ignition that night, but only to watch the fireworks after dropping off Uber passengers nearby. Haney said multiple witnesses as well as first responders will testify that they heard fireworks in the area around the time the fire ignited.

Haney reminded jurors that it didn’t matter if they liked his client or approved of the way he uses his computer. He said Rinderknecht’s behavior after the fire, from calling 911 to cooperating with investigators, demonstrated his innocence. Haney played an audio recording of Rinderknecht’s conversation with a 911 operator during which he reported a fire in the Pacific Palisades.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.