safety
Jury to return Friday for further instruction after reaching a standstill in Palisades Fire arson trial
By CNN at KVIA ABC-7
· June 26, 2026
· 4 min read
CNN
By Jack Hannah, Nick Watt, CNN
Los Angeles (CNN) — After 14 hours of deliberations, federal jurors weighing the fate of the man accused of starting last year’s deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles ended their day Thursday with a simple note: “We cannot reach a unanimous verdict on any of ...
Key takeaway Jurors were told to return Friday morning in the case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, as a judge considers how to respond.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The developments in the Palisades Fire arson trial may seem distant to El Paso residents, but the case's focus on wildfire prevention and accountability resonates locally. El Paso County's own experiences with wildfires, such as those that have threatened communities near the Franklin Mountains, underscore the importance of addressing arson and ensuring public safety. As the trial against Jonathan Rinderknecht continues, El Pasoans may wonder about the measures in place to prevent and respond to similar incidents in their own area. The city's fire department and emergency management officials likely follow such cases closely, considering how lessons from the Palisades Fire can inform their strategies for mitigating wildfire risks in El Paso's unique desert environment. The outcome of the trial may also have implications for how local law enforcement and prosecutors approach arson investigations and prosecutions in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso 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 KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more The El Paso 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? CNN
By Jack Hannah, Nick Watt, CNN
Los Angeles (CNN) — After 14 hours of deliberations, federal jurors weighing the fate of the man accused of starting last year’s deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles ended their day Thursday with a simple note: “We cannot reach a unanimous verdict on any of ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter