Attorneys Seek Release of Suspect in Deadly Los Angeles Palisades Fire

New evidence casts doubt on suspect's involvement, lawyers say

Mar. 6, 2026 at 6:18am

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Defense attorneys for Jonathan Rinderknecht, the man accused of sparking the deadly 2025 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, held a news conference calling for his release from jail. They say new evidence, including testimony from firefighters, shows Rinderknecht is being used as a scapegoat and that the fire was likely caused by unextinguished hot spots from an earlier blaze, not by Rinderknecht.

Why it matters

The Palisades Fire was one of the most destructive wildfires in California history, killing 12 people. This case raises questions about the handling of the initial fire by the Los Angeles Fire Department and whether the right person is being held responsible for the devastating blaze.

The details

Rinderknecht was charged in October 2025 with starting the Palisades Fire, which began on January 7, 2025 in hillside neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Malibu. Prosecutors say he started a fire on January 1 that burned undetected before flaring up a week later. Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys say he is being used as a scapegoat. They point to testimony from a firefighter who said he noticed the ground was still smoldering from the January 1 fire, and a park ranger who confirmed this account. A battalion chief also testified that he walked the perimeter and ensured all hot spots were out on January 1.

  • The Palisades Fire began on January 7, 2025.
  • Rinderknecht was charged in October 2025.
  • Rinderknecht has been jailed for 150 days.

The players

Jonathan Rinderknecht

The 29-year-old man accused of sparking the deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.

Steve Haney

Rinderknecht's attorney, who is calling for his client's release based on new evidence.

Jaime Moore

The Los Angeles Fire Department Chief who commissioned an independent report on how the January 1 fire was handled.

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What they’re saying

“This evidence calls into question not only the fundamental fairness for my client's continued detention, but the very foundation of the charges themselves.”

— Steve Haney, Rinderknecht's attorney

“I'm calling upon the U.S. Attorneys. I believe they have an ethical obligation … to review this and dismiss the indictment.”

— Steve Haney, Rinderknecht's attorney

What’s next

The next pretrial conference in the case is scheduled for April.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of thorough investigations and holding government agencies accountable for their actions, especially when a devastating wildfire results in loss of life. The new evidence raises serious doubts about the charges against Rinderknecht and the handling of the initial fire by the Los Angeles Fire Department.