Prosecutors: Palisades fire suspect sought revenge on society
Federal prosecutors say Jonathan Rinderknecht set the Lachman fire out of anger; the defense says he tried to stop it.
By Hans Laetz
Jonathan Rinderknecht was angry, severely depressed, and he did not like rich people. And he set a fire in Pacific Palisades to get even for a failed life.
That is the contention by prosecutors. Yesterday, they delivered opening arguments in the case of the alleged arsonist who burned down east Malibu and the Pacific Palisades.
Prosecutors told a federal jury yesterday that the troubled former Uber driver used a lighter, out of anger toward society and a yearning for revenge.
"He was alone on New Year's Eve and very frustrated about that," asserted federal prosecutor Matthew O'Brien. "And he wanted revenge on society because he blamed society for all his troubles."
Defense attorneys opened with an argument that Rinderknecht merely saw a blaze burning as he watched fireworks on New Year's Eve, and he immediately called 911 to report the fire.
Rinderknecht, said defense lawyer Steven Haney, was a "frightened and confused young man repeatedly calling for help" who later cooperated with authorities.
Yesterday, prosecutors began to lay out their case that Rinderknecht started the Lachman fire. The defense has signaled a smoldering underground "holdover fire" that, driven by fierce Santa Ana winds, transformed into the Palisades fire days later on Jan. 7, 2025.
Haney played two 911 clips of Rinderknecht calling in the fire. "It's the voice and actions of a man who tried to stop the fire," Haney said. "No matter what the government's theory is, the evidence will show Jonathan did not start the Jan. 1 fire."
The prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht's Uber job took him to drop off a passenger just one block away from where he had used to live with his boyfriend. The boyfriend had spurned him and kicked him out of the expensive house. Rinderknecht had been forced to move to a small apartment in North Hollywood.
"His life started to deteriorate," launching a desire for "revenge against society, because he blamed society for all of his troubles," the prosecutor said.
The jury, comprised of nine women and three men, listened to the opening statements in a packed courtroom. There are no cameras or microphones allowed in the courtroom.
Our coverage is based on reporting by the LA Daily News and LA Times.