An ATF agent testified Jonathan Rinderknecht was dealing with major anxiety and anger issues when he allegedly caused a fire in 2025 that later reignited as the destructive and deadly Palisades blaze.

Allegations: Jonathan Rinderknecht is on trial for the Lachman and the Palisades fires, the latter which scorched nearly 23,500 acres in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu and surrounding areas and left 12 people dead while damaging or destroying more than 7,

The man who federal prosecutors say was “pissed off at the world” before allegedly igniting the Palisades Fire goes on trial this week in Los Angeles, roughly a year and a half after the deadly and historically destructive blaze claimed the lives of a dozen people and scorched thousands of homes and businesses.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal arson trial began Monday for the man accused of sparking last year’s deadly Palisades Fire as the area struggles to rebuild and the aftermath reverberates through the Los Angeles mayor’s race.

Accused Palisades fire arsonist and Uber driver Jonathan Rinderknecht was an erratic driver who gave off “incel energy” and praised Luigi Mangione and vigilantism, several passengers testified during Rinderknecht’s trial this week.

The trial for the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire is underway. The jury heard vastly different accounts of what happened during opening statements Wednesday.

The lawsuit filed by Kenneth Bass and his wife seeks damages for the destruction of their Malibu home, smoke inhalation and mental anguish.