The father of the man accused of sparking one of Southern California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfires, which killed 12 people, appeared outside the Los Angeles federal courthouse Wednesday as opening statements got underway in his son’s trial.
Prosecutors are seeking up to 45 years in prison for Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused of igniting last year’s deadly Palisades Fire. Jury selection for the trial was finalized with nine women and three men Tuesday after 46 prospective jurors were screened by Judge Anne Hwang.
Joel Rinderknecht, father of accused Jonathan Rinderknecht, arrives at LA’s federal courthouse. David Buchan for Ca Post
Court sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire arson. Mona Shafer Edwards / BACKGRID
Prosecutors are seeking up to 45 years in prison for Jonathan Rinderknecht. Mona Shafer Edwards / BACKGRIDSome prospective jurors were victims of the fires, as one woman fought back tears as she described her the devastation she faced.
Rinderknecht’s father sported a green button-up shirt and carried a bag with him, he did not speak to reporters outside the courthouse.
Rinderknecht, a 30 year old Uber driver, was indicted last October on three felony counts related to arson and destruction of property. Investigators accused him of initially starting the Lachman Fire, a New Year’s blaze that many believed to have been doused by firefighters, only for it to survive underground and start the deadly Palisades Fire a week later.
Court sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht and his defense attorney Steve Haney during opening statements in the Palisades Fire arson trial. Mona Shafer Edwards / BACKGRID
Jonathan Rinderknecht is accused of igniting last year’s deadly Palisades Fire. AP
Firefighters fighting back against the Palisades Fire in January 2025. REUTERSHe pleaded not guilty, with his attorneys arguing the blaze was initially sparked by a nearby firework.
Rinderknecht’s father, a French missionary, flew to Los Angeles in October 2025 to ask a federal judge at the Roybal Federal Building to release his son.
Rinderknecht was indicted last October on three felony counts related to arson and destruction of property. Mona Shafer Edwards / BACKGRID
Opening statements were underway for the trial. Mona Shafer Edwards / BACKGRIDBut weeks before the alleged arsonist’s arrest, a family member called 911 after Rinderknecht allegedly threatened to burn down his sister’s Florida home, where he had been staying. Police body camera footage captured his sister telling officers she feared her brother.
A week later, Rinderknecht’s father also called 911 after learning his son had purchased a handgun for what he described as “self-defense” against his brother-in-law.
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