A mistrial was declared Friday in the case of a man charged with arson for allegedly starting a devastating wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, after jurors said they were hopelessly deadlocked.
Jury Deadlocked After Deliberations
The jury in Los Angeles County Superior Court told Judge Eleanor J. Hunter on Friday afternoon that they could not reach a unanimous verdict after deliberating for parts of four days. The panel had been considering the case against Jonathan Torres, 43, who was accused of intentionally setting a fire that burned more than 1,500 acres and destroyed 12 homes in May 2025.
“We have exhausted all avenues,” the jury foreperson wrote in a note to the judge. “We cannot reach a unanimous decision on any count.”
Prosecution Case
Prosecutors alleged that Torres set the fire in a brushy area near Pacific Coast Highway on the afternoon of May 14, 2025. The blaze quickly spread, forcing evacuations of hundreds of residents and causing an estimated $50 million in damage. Deputy District Attorney Sarah Chen told the jury that surveillance video showed Torres near the ignition point shortly before the fire started, and that he later bragged to a friend about setting the fire.
“This was not an accident,” Chen said in closing arguments. “The defendant deliberately lit this fire, and his own words convicted him.”
Defense Arguments
Defense attorney Mark Rivera argued that the evidence was circumstantial and that the surveillance footage did not clearly show Torres starting the fire. He also noted that Torres, who has a history of mental health issues, had been in the area to visit his mother and had no motive to commit arson.
“The prosecution has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Rivera said. “My client is innocent, and the jury's inability to reach a verdict shows that.”
Impact of the Fire
The Pacific Palisades fire, dubbed the Palisades Fire, was one of several major wildfires that struck Southern California in 2025. It burned for nearly two weeks before being fully contained, damaging or destroying over 100 structures and injuring six firefighters. The cause of the fire was officially listed as arson, but Torres was the only person charged.
Next Steps
Judge Hunter declared a mistrial and set a status conference for July 10 to determine whether prosecutors will seek a retrial. Torres remains in custody on $2 million bail. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said in a statement that it would review the case and decide how to proceed.
“We respect the jury's service and their decision,” the statement said. “We will carefully evaluate the evidence and determine the best path forward.”
