Defense lawyers for Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, say he didn’t start the blaze and tried to help officials as it burned

A New Year’s Day fire led to the destructive Palisades Fire. Jonathan Rinderknecht is charged with three federal crimes.

In Palisades fire trial, a federal judge had barred prosecutors from telling jurors about defendants' alleged Bible burning and threat to burn his sister's home. But she expressed concerns that a defense attorney's questioning left the impression he had never shown interest in lighting fires.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, is on trial facing several arson-related charges in connection with the massive wildfire.

An ATF agent testified Jonathan Rinderknecht was dealing with major anxiety and anger issues when he allegedly caused a fire in 2025 that later reignited as the destructive and deadly Palisades blaze.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal arson trial began Monday for the man accused of sparking last year’s deadly Palisades Fire as the area struggles to rebuild and the aftermath reverberates through the Los Angeles mayor’s race.

Prosecutors allege the suspect's motive was anger at society because he had no friends and received no invitations to New Year's celebrations.

The father of the man accused of sparking one of Southern California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfires, which killed 12 people, appeared outside the Los Angeles federal courthouse Wednesday as opening statements got underway in his son’s trial.