LA Residents Recall Fire at Jury Selection for Accused Arsonist

The lasting imprint of fires that ripped through Los Angeles last year was on display in federal court on Tuesday as attorneys agreed to a 12-person jury to decide whether Jonathan Rinderknecht is responsible for starting the Palisades Fire.

Nine women and three men will deliberate over three counts related to destroying property brought against Rinderknecht, an Uber driver prosecutors say started a fire on Jan. 1, 2025, that a week later became the blaze, which destroyed almost 7,000 structures and killed 12 people in the Pacific Palisades. If convicted he could face 45 years in prison.

As attorneys on ...