los angeles — A 29-year-old man is accused of starting the deadly Palisades Fire, one of the fires The most destructive forest fires In California history, he pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges.
Jonathan Rinderknecht appeared in federal court Thursday afternoon Arriving in Los Angeles from Florida His attorney, Steve Haney, said earlier in the day. The judge ordered him to be kept in detention before his trial.
Federal officials said Rinderknecht, who lived in the area, A small fire started On New Year’s Day the fire ignited underground before reigniting nearly a week later and ripping through Pacific Palisades, home to many of Los Angeles’ rich and famous.
The blaze, which left 12 people dead in hillside neighborhoods across Pacific Palisades and Malibu, was one of two that broke out on Jan. 7, killing more than 30 people in total. More than 17 thousand homes and buildings were destroyed While it burned for several days in Los Angeles County.
Haney told the judge he took issue with the fact that Rinderknecht was facing charges for the Palisades Fire when he allegedly started the smaller blaze formerly known as the Lachman Fire.
He said: “My client is accused of a fire that started seven days later.”
Rinderknecht was staying at his sister’s home in Orlando when federal officials arrested him on October 7. He made his first appearance in court the next day in Florida on charges of willful destruction by arson.
A week later, a grand jury indicted him on additional charges, including arson of property used in interstate commerce, and arson of timber. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Rinderknecht’s trial is scheduled for December 16.
On Thursday, he appeared before US Judge Rosella Oliver, wearing a white jumpsuit. His attorney said he should be released on bail, based on an assessment by Florida court officials.
Haney said Rinderknecht had no documented history of mental health issues, substance abuse or prior criminal activity.
However, a judge in Florida Who ordered Rinderknecht’s arrest He said he has concerns about Rinderknecht’s mental health and his ability to get to California for future court hearings.
He looked agitated when the judge in Los Angeles again ordered him to be kept in jail, interrupting him on the microphone: “Can I really say something about detention?”
Haney said they plan to return to the judge with additional evidence about why Renderknecht should be released on bail.
“He is a frustrated young man,” Hani said after the session. “He doesn’t know why he’s in prison now.”
Haney said they plan to argue that even if Rinderknecht caused the smaller initial fire on New Year’s Day, there were several “intervening factors” in the week between that day and the time the Palisades Fire ignited, particularly the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Rinderknecht made several 911 calls to report the fire, according to a criminal complaint. Federal officials described the Palisades fire as a “residual fire” from the Jan. 1 blaze, which firefighters were unable to completely extinguish, the complaint said.
Such fires linger in root systems and can reach depths of 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to more than 6 meters), making them undetectable by thermal imaging cameras, the city’s interim fire chief said.
“They had a duty to put out the fire,” Hani said. “I think he’s a scapegoat.”