Federal Judge Keeps Suspect in Deadly California Wildfire in Custody

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge in Florida ordered the man charged in California’s deadly Palisades Fire to remain jailed Thursday after a prosecutor said he had traits of an arsonist and his family had worried about his declining mental state.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathan Hill expressed concerns about Jonathan Rinderknecht's mental health and his ability to attend future court hearings in California. Rinderknecht, who started a small fire on New Year’s Day 2023 that reignited and devastated parts of Pacific Palisades and Malibu, is facing serious charges after the blaze resulted in dozens of fatalities and the destruction of over 17,000 homes.

During the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Lyons emphasized that Rinderknecht poses a flight risk due to family ties in France. Shackled in a red jail uniform, he listened as testimonies revealed alarming threats he made against family members.

Lyons hinted that a potential sentence could be amplified because the fire led to multiple deaths. She described Rinderknecht as a loner with a bleak perspective on life, currently working as an Uber driver.

Defense attorney Aziza Hawthorne argued for Rinderknecht's release under strict conditions, referencing a lack of credible threats and emphasizing his ongoing psychiatric treatment.

Rinderknecht remains in custody at Seminole County Jail pending a hearing on October 17, when prosecutors will provide further evidence.

Investigators have spent months gathering evidence and eliminating other causes for the fire. They processed over 13,000 items of evidence and conducted more than 500 scientific tests, ensuring thoroughness in their investigation.

ATF special agent Kenny Cooper underscored that the ignition of the fire was solely the responsibility of Rinderknecht, noting the challenges firefighters faced in recognizing and suppressing the fire that smoldered underground for days.