Prosecutors used ChatGPT logs as evidence in the Palisades fire trial

Jonathan Rinderknecht was facing arson charges for starting a fire on New Year’s Day in 2025, which became one of The deadliest forest fires in History of Los Angeles. To prove their case, prosecutors turned to location data from his iPhone, security camera footage, and witness testimony. But they also turned to its ChatGPT logs.

Prosecutors said Renderknecht had ChatGPT create images of the fire, asked the chatbot: “Why am I so angry all the time?”, and ranted about how rich people were ruining the world. They also pointed to a screen recording in which Rinderknecht asked ChatGPT if someone could be blamed for a fire if their cigarette lit it.

But the jury was not convinced. The trial ended in a impasse When the jury voted 10-2 in favor of the defense. This led to the judge declaring a hung jury and a mistrial.

One juror said CBS Los Angeles She didn’t think the ChatGPT logs were proof of anything, saying: “I talk to ChatGPT all the time.” She said it actually made her “angry” because they were suggesting his use of a chatbot indicated some sort of character flaw.