safety
10 jurors said Palisades Fire suspect isn't guilty. Now he faces an October retrial
By Jaimie Ding And Christopher Weber, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio
· June 26, 2026
· 6 min read
The man accused of sparking last year's deadly Palisades Fire will be tried again this fall after his first federal arson case ended in a mistrial Friday.Ten of the 12 jurors insisted Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is innocent. Judge Anne Hwang quickly set an Oct. 19 retrial date and ordered him jail...
Key takeaway Ten of the 12 jurors insisted Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is innocent.
Why this matters in Terrell Hills News
The mistrial in the Palisades Fire arson case has implications for Terrell Hills residents who may be concerned about wildfire risks in their own community. While the Palisades Fire occurred in California, the San Antonio area is not immune to wildfires, and the case highlights the importance of arson investigations and prosecutions. In Bexar County, where Terrell Hills is located, wildfires can be a significant threat, particularly during periods of drought. The slow rebuilding process in Pacific Palisades, where only 17 homes have been certified for occupancy, also serves as a reminder of the long-term consequences of devastating fires. As the prosecution prepares to retry the case, Terrell Hills residents may want to pay attention to any local efforts to prevent and respond to wildfires, including education campaigns and emergency preparedness initiatives. The case also underscores the need for effective investigation and prosecution of arson cases in the San Antonio area.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
Reading time: 6 min
Get more Terrell Hills News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The man accused of sparking last year's deadly Palisades Fire will be tried again this fall after his first federal arson case ended in a mistrial Friday.Ten of the 12 jurors insisted Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is innocent. Judge Anne Hwang quickly set an Oct. 19 retrial date and ordered him jail...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jaimie Ding And Christopher Weber, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter