Jury selection began Monday in the federal arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of starting the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County. The fire killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
Prosecutors say Rinderknecht set a brush fire on New Year's Day 2025 that smoldered and reignited during a Santa Ana windstorm. The defense argues there is no direct evidence linking him to the ignition.
- Rinderknecht faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted. - The initial blaze was suppressed but continued to smolder underground for six days.
- A judge barred both the defense's negligence argument and AI-generated images from evidence. - Opening arguments are set for Wednesday, with a trial expected to last two weeks.