The man accused for sparking the devastating Palisades Fire tried to throw investigators off his trail by recording a 911 call he made to report the blaze along with an online search meant to deceive investigators, a federal agent testified.
As the trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht entered day two on Thursday, prosecutors laid out a meticulous timeline of photos, videos, cellular data and ChatGPT messages arguing that the 30-year-old not only started one of the deadliest and most destructive fires in California history, but tried to trick authorities with his search history.
ATF Special Agent Michael Montevidoni testified that Rinderknecht called 911 several times in the early hours of January 1, shortly after the Lachman Fire started.
“There’s a fire, there’s a fire,” Rinderknecht could be heard saying during the 911 call. “There’s a fire a top of Pacific Palisades highland.”
While talking to 911, Rinderknecht screen-recorded the phone call and him asking ChatGPT, “Are you at fault if a fire is lit because of your cigarettes,” according to the clip.
