safety
10 jurors said Palisades Fire suspect isn't guilty. Now he faces an October retrial
By Jaimie Ding And Christopher Weber, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 26, 2026
· 6 min read
The man accused of sparking last year's deadly Palisades Fire will be tried again this fall after his first federal arson case ended in a mistrial Friday.Ten of the 12 jurors insisted Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is innocent. Judge Anne Hwang quickly set an Oct. 19 retrial date and ordered him jail...
Key takeaway Ten of the 12 jurors insisted Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is innocent.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The mistrial in the Palisades Fire arson case has no direct connection to San Antonio , but it serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of wildfires, a threat that also looms over the Texas Hill Country surrounding San Antonio. As the city's residents watch the developments in this case, they may be prompted to think about their own community's preparedness for wildfires and the importance of prevention measures. The slow rebuilding process in Pacific Palisades also raises questions about the local response to disasters and the support available to affected communities. In San Antonio, city officials and emergency responders have been working to enhance wildfire mitigation efforts, including public education campaigns and prescribed burns in high-risk areas. The outcome of the retrial in the Palisades Fire case may have implications for how arson cases are prosecuted nationwide, potentially influencing approaches to similar cases in Texas.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The man accused of sparking last year's deadly Palisades Fire will be tried again this fall after his first federal arson case ended in a mistrial Friday.Ten of the 12 jurors insisted Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is innocent. Judge Anne Hwang quickly set an Oct. 19 retrial date and ordered him jail...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jaimie Ding And Christopher Weber, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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