Mistrial declared in Palisades Fire arson case

LOS ANGELES (CNN, KYMA/NBC) - A judge has declared a mistrial for a man accused of starting the deadly Palisades Fire last year.

This comes after the jury, over 14 hours of deliberations, deadlocked on all three charges 30-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht faced.

They include destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire.

Prosecutors allege Rinderknecht, who pleaded not guilty back in October, was alone in the area when the blaze that would become the Palisades Fire started on New Year's Day.

Defense attorneys dispute that as they point to witness testimony about New Year's revelers setting off fireworks nearby. They also note Rinderknecht repeatedly called 911.

After the judge declared a mistrial, one of the jurors, who did not want to be identified, told reporters that the jury got along well, but could not agree on a decision.

"We just, we couldn't, there was, we just couldn't come to an agreement. It just wasn't happening," the juror shared.

When asked why she believes Rinderknecht is not guilty, she said, "There's just not enough proof. It happened so late in time, and I just felt like [there were] a lot of holes."

Rinderknecht will remain in jail until his new trial begins on October 19.

The Palisades Fire claimed a dozen lives and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in Los Angeles.