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Federal Charges Against Palisades Fire Suspect May Dismissed

3/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Jonathan Rinderknecht, the defendant charged with starting the Palisades Fire, may have three federal arson charges dismissed due to depositions showing firefighters left smoldering areas.
The charges concern the Lachman Fire, which occurred shortly before the Palisades Fire, and Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty.
He has been in custody for 150 days, and the testimony arose in a civil suit against Los Angeles and California, which the U.S. Attorney's Office will address in court.

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Story summary

Jonathan Rinderknecht, the defendant charged with starting the Palisades Fire, may have three federal arson charges dismissed due to depositions showing firefighters left smoldering areas.
The charges concern the Lachman Fire, which occurred shortly before the Palisades Fire, and Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty.
He has been in custody for 150 days, and the testimony arose in a civil suit against Los Angeles and California, which the U.S. Attorney's Office will address in court.