PODCAST:
May 6, 2026 ~ Steve Haney, attorney for the Palisades Fire suspect, discusses the case against Jonathan Rinderknecht and addresses allegations about the suspect’s fixation connected to the investigation.
LOS ANGELES ~ New details in the case against the alleged Pallisades Fire arsonist were made public in court documents released earlier this week, possibly shedding light on their potential motive and state of mind before the fire began.
The suspect, Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is accused of starting the deadly fire in the wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood of the Pacific Palisades before spreading to surrounding areas. Prosecutors allege he started the fire purposely on Jan. 1, 2025, which stayed lit in underground root systems before roaring into a massive blaze that killed 12 people.
The court documents include eyewitness accounts of Rinderknecht driving erratically through the Palisades while driving for Uber. Passengers told investigators he was angry “at the world” and ranted about the accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione, capitalism, and vigilantism.
Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty in the case, with his trial set to begin June 8.
