Defense Claims Accused in Palisades Fire is Being Scapegoated

The man charged with igniting the destructive Palisades fire has been labeled a “scapegoat” from the beginning, according to his lawyer, Steve Haney, who has a reputation for his flamboyant defense style.

Haney, representing 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht, asserts that his client has faced intense “character assassination” since his arrest related to the fatal fire. “His guilt was assumed from the start,” Haney stated, adding that there was a substantial amount of negative press prior to the trial.

Haney contends that prosecutors did not sufficiently demonstrate that Rinderknecht initiated the blaze on January 1, 2025. “There is no proof he started the fire; it all depends on the context,” he remarked.

Rinderknecht and Haney have observed the prosecution’s case unfold over the past week, focused largely on Rinderknecht’s mental state leading up to the fire. The jury was presented with conversations Rinderknecht had with ChatGPT, which he reportedly used as a journal to express his thoughts on climate change and the wealthy. Angry text messages sent to his girlfriend—who chose not to spend New Year’s Eve with him—and French music videos he repeatedly watched, which prosecutors claim reference flames, were also highlighted.

“This song is about enjoying some tea, not about arson,” Haney countered during the court proceedings.

The prosecution admitted there was no visual evidence of Rinderknecht initiating the fire after midnight. Instead, they relied on cellphone data and unclear surveillance footage showing him nearby the origin point of the initial 9-acre fire.

Fire specialists have testified that the severe Palisades fire on January 7 was a rekindling of the earlier January 1 fire, which had been smoldering beneath the surface until strong Santa Ana winds turned it into a devastating blaze.

Haney emphasized that Rinderknecht was not present in the Palisades area on January 7.

Prior to Rinderknecht’s arrest, much of the public’s focus appeared to be on Mayor Karen Bass, who was overseas in Ghana on a Biden-led tour during the disaster.

Critics also pointed fingers at the buses, linking them to the empty reservoirs during the crisis and inciting anti-busing protests, as well as prompting a mayoral campaign by former reality star Spencer Pratt.

When questioned about whether Rinderknecht was a scapegoat for the mayor and the city, Haney opted not to delve into that topic. “The judge has clearly stated that we cannot discuss these negligence matters. We’ll keep our attention on the lack of evidence showing Jonathan initiated the fire,” he maintained.

Rinderknecht’s father, Joel, attends the trial each day and insists on his son’s innocence. Haney is set to begin presenting the defense on Thursday, aiming to persuade the Los Angeles jury that Rinderknecht is not the villain that the prosecution has depicted.

“It’s possible people have already made their decisions,” Haney expressed. “I trust the jury will remain open-minded and base their choices on the evidence.”